See the AN below thanks for reading - ShadoKing
Forged Bonds Arc
Chapter 1: Bonds Forged by Fire
The sun shone brightly on a beautiful day in Konohagakure, the birds chirping, the wind blowing softly, the chatter of civilians and Shinobi alike walking throughout the village. The sounds of a new Academy class of children laughing at play while waiting for the teacher to arrive. A group of girls were sitting in the top left corner talking and giggling.
"That's him right there" a random brunette haired girl whispered to her friend about a certain blond.
"Yeah that's the boy that all the grownups tell us not to talk to" she replied
"Yeah he's weird always by himself" another girl added
Unknown to the young girls, two pairs of ears heard their conversation. One the 6 year old blonde boy in question who just lowered his head, his eyes filled with sadness and loneliness, he had been lonely his entire life. No one wanted anything to do with him as if they hated him and he didn't know why.
The other boy, also 6 with jet black hair was talking to a random kid when he overheard the girls talking about the blonde haired boy. Because he was the closest he heard the whole thing.
He clenched his fist 'No one deserves to be talked about like that it's just not right stupid girls' he thought as he started to get up but soon the teacher finally came into the room so he sat back down.
"Good morning class my name is Umino Iruka and I'll be your home room teacher" a young Iruka called out
"Good morning Iruka Sensei" the entire class yelled out welcoming their teacher
Iruka smiled "Alright then let's get started"
He gave them an opening lecture and some small history of the village. Iruka also noticed the young boy up top looking at the blonde one whom he had already known about due to the 'decree' and Shinobi gossip.
He went to sit behind his desk "Alright class now that that is out of the way, how about you each get up and go around the room and introduce yourself to one another think of it as your first assignment.
The entire class got up and began to mingle. The black haired boy got up and spoke to a few kids in particular one short haired blonde girl with teal eyes 'Wow she's pretty' he thought but then he noticed the same girl along with several others flock over to another black haired boy who just sat their impassively only give a grunt in reply while they all squealed.
He also noticed that no one really had said anything to the blonde kid so he made his way down to where the boy was sitting.
"Hi" the black hair boy started
"Uh...hi" the blonde said sheepishly
"My name is Yoto Takeru what's yours?" Takeru asked
"I'm...Uzumaki Naruto" Naruto replied he smiled
"Naruto huh...that a funny name" Takeru chuckled
"Oi stop laughing" Naruto slightly yelled with a slight grumpy face
"Ok sorry, hey I know do you wanna play at the park with me after school?" Takeru asked with his hand held out
Naruto froze, all the sound, all the chatter around him silenced no one had ever asked him to hang out. It had always been him seeking to hang out or play with others but their parents never let them and he was left alone, now this random boy is asking him. Iruka sat and watched all the interactions but was focusing more on Naruto. The blonde boy's bangs held in front of his eyes Takeru looked defeated and was about to move his hand when Naruto grabbed it.
"Heck yea I wanna hang out with you Dattebayo" he said with his signature fox grin
Takeru smiled and the boys both shook hands smiling at each other. Iruka smiled seeing that Naruto had made a friend or so he hoped, unbeknownst to them another was watching the interaction with the two boys, a young pale skinned girl with white eyes and a short haircut.
"Naruto-kun" she thought as a blush formed on her face.
After Class
Most of the children went home to their parents, Naruto on the other hand raced side by side with Takeru, the two boys laughing running through the village streets, enjoying each other's company. They made it to the park to see three boys, one with red marks on his face running chasing a white puppy, another boy with brown spiky hair stuffing food in his mouth and one with pineapple type black hair lying down on the bench staring at the clouds.
"Oi aren't you guys in our class" Naruto yelled out
Each boy stopped and looked at the two boys.
"Yea I'm Inuzuka Kiba this is my best bud Akamaru" Kiba replied and Akamaru yipped
"Hi my name's Akimichi Choji" Choji added while eating some barbeque chips
"Yo I'm Nara Shikamaru" Shikamaru said with a yawn
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto and this is...uh" Naruto replied
"Baka you forgot my name already..." Takeru growled with a tick mark forming on his head, Naruto rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment "I'm Yoto Takeru...so what were you guys doing up here" Takeru asked
"Just hanging out doing nothing really" Choji replied
"That sounds boring...hey I know you guys wanna play Ninja Tag" Naruto yelled out
They all think for a moment before all smiling and agreeing and for the next couple hours ran around the park playing Ninja Tag. Soon as it got late in the evening the sun began to go down, Kiba, Choji, and Shikamaru's parents all came to get them, as they waved goodbye Takeru noticed Naruto dropping his head a bit.
"You ok Naruto" Takeru asked
"Yeah why'd ask that" Naruto replied
"Well you just seemed kinda bummed when they left"
Naruto smiled putting on a fake smile "Yeah I'm ok today was the best day ever"
"Yeah it was fun wanna do it again tomorrow" Takeru said excitedly
Naruto smile widened "You bet Dattebayo" he said happily but then looked confused as Takeru held his hand out.
"Let's be Friends?" Takeru asked with a genuine smile on his face
Naruto showed his foxy smile and shook hands with his new friend. "Friends!" The two boys smiled and laughed until a soft voice called from the background.
"Take-chan time to come home"
Both boys turned around to see a short older lady with white hair.
"Baa-chan over here" Takeru called to her and she began to walk over. She then saw that her grandson was not alone; he stood with a blonde boy.
"Take-Chan it's time to come home" the old lady then turned to the blonde haired boy and smiled "Oh and what's your name sweetie?"
Naruto hesitated not one adult in his life outside of the Hokage had shown him kindness it was all new to him, "I'm...Naruto...Uzumaki Naruto" he yelled regaining some of his resolve
The old lady smiled "Well Naruto I'm Yoto Maruya Takeru's grandmother" she said ruffling Naruto's wild blonde mane
Takeru smiled seeing his grandmother accept his new friend then an idea formed in his head "Hey Baachan can Naruto come over for dinner, please!"
"If it's ok with his parents" she asked but then noticed the look on Naruto's face
"I...I don't have any parents I...live by myself" Naruto said sadly tears streaming down his face the smile on Takeru's face suddenly turned to a frown
Maruya's heart broke she looked at her grandson then to Naruto and smiled taking Naruto in her embrace "Shhh you poor thing it's ok you're always welcome at our house anytime Naruto-kun, are you hungry we're having Ichiraku Ramen delivered tonight and would be gladly willing to share"
The looks on both young boys' faces was priceless to Maruya going from sad faces to both their mouths wide open with stars in their wide eyes. She smiled "I'll take that as a yes" she then took Takeru's hand then offered her other hand to Naruto.
For years no one would give him the time of day but she smiled and offered her hand. He was shocked for a second then smiled and placed his hand into her soft ones and they all left the park together.
In a dark room somewhere an old man watches over Naruto on a crystal ball he puffs his pipe and exhales slowly and smiles genuinely "Naruto-kun I'm happy for you" Taking another puff of his pipe the man slowly began to make plans to make things right for the boy.
Sometime Later
October 10th
Sometime had passed by and Naruto and Takeru became fast friends getting to know each other, hanging out all the time, even finding a surrogate family with the Yotos amazing weapon smiths who had moved to Konoha from Takumi Village 8 years ago. They were the only people who seemed to genuinely care for him besides Iruka who began to warm up to him even with all the mischief, the Hokage, old man Teuchi and his daughter Ayame, owners of the Ichiraku Ramen shop. He was sad to learn that like him Takeru didnt have his actual parents with him as they had died 7 years ago.
At the academy during a sparring class Naruto was paired up with Sasuke Uchiha, though excited at the chance to achieve popularity by beating Sasuke, Naruto was easily beaten. By looking at Sasuke's eyes, Naruto realized that they were filled with hatred. When Iruka told them to make the reconciliation seal, they both refused. Since then, Naruto came to see Sasuke as a rival and intended to beat him. Takeru took note of this and promised to help his friend since he had started a bit more advanced ninjutsu and taijutsu at home. One night in October Takeru had asked Naruto to go with him to eat Ramen at the Ichiraku stand. The two friends ate and chatted with Teuchi and Ayame before leaving.
"That was so good, Dattebayo thanks Takeru!" Naruto said as they walked towards Naruto's apartment
"No problem Naruto here I got you something" Takeru replied handing Naruto a small box
"Huh what's this?" he asked shocked
"Open it and see Baka" Takeru replied jokingly
Naruto opened the box to see a picture frame with a picture of him and Takeru both smiling a wide foxy grin. It was taken by Takeru's grandfather one day after a training session.
"What's this for Takeru?" Naruto asked then he noticed that his friend had stopped walking
"Why...didn't you tell me today was your birthday Naruto" Takeru asked
"Ah it's no big deal it's just like any other day I'm not that important" Naruto said laughing trying to move on from the subject
"NA-RU-TO!" Takeru said slowly cracking his knuckles
Naruto went quiet his eyes lowered "Look I'm sorry...it's a day that I...try to forget"
"But why..." Takeru asked but the two boys were interrupted by loud chanting.
They turned and looked at a mob coming straight for them chanting things like 'Demon' and 'doesn't deserve to live'. The young boys tried to run but were soon cornered.
"Demon brat come here so I can beat cha to death" an obviously drunken man yelled out
Takeru's head turned to see Naruto frozen in fear so he then stepped between the mob and his friend.
"Step aside kid and let us have our revenge" another man called out
Takeru growled, stretching his arms out wide "NO! I WON'T LET YOU HURT MY BEST FRIEND"
Naruto's eyes widened 'best friend' Takeru called him his best friend
"He's corrupted the boy, the demon has corrupted him" another random villager yelled
"Leave Naruto alone!" Takeru shouted hoping someone would hear.
The drunken man suddenly chucked the bottle at Naruto but Takeru blocked it, the bottle shattered and a piece of glass cut across his left cheek right under his eye.
"Ahhhhh" Takeru screamed. He held his eye as it had been cut by the drunken man who then kicked him in the stomach knocking him over.
"TAKERU!" Naruto cried out
"Get them" yelled the drunken man but in swift fashion his head was cut clean off, his body fell to the ground with a thud as his head rolled to the side. The captain of the Anbu Black Ops who stood with spiky white hair and a dog mask.
"How low you've sunk, assaulting two 7 year olds who can barely defend themselves, now disperse this crowd or we will be forced to take more...drastic actions" he nodded his head and his Anbu appeared on the rooftops standing at the ready.
Quickly the crowd dispersed leaving the two boys and the Shinobi task force. Naruto quickly ran to check on Takeru, while the other Anbu quickly joined their captain, two of them taking the dead body away.
"Your orders sir" the Boar mask asked.
"Boar notify the boy's grandparents, Neko take them to the hospital, I'll report to Hokage-sama" He then walked over to the two boys and bent down "It going to be ok Naruto go with Bird she'll take care of you and your friend"
"How…How do you know my name" Naruto asked while Neko walked over and picked up Takeru. She held the boy in her arms saddened as this was her lovers godson
Inu kneeled down in front of Naruto and ruffled his head "You'll know soon enough for now go with Neko" and with that he shunshined away.
HOKAGE'S OFFICE
Sarutobi sighed he hated this day. He hated it for several reasons it was the day the Kyuubi mysteriously attacked so long ago, it was the day he lost Minato, Kushina and his wife, it was the day a baby boy was left to live a life with without ever knowing the love of a family, a day a lot of the villagers use as a day to seek revenge against a child who doesn't even know why.
"Hokage-sama…" Dog said as he appeared in the office
"Hmmm..." he said as he still faced the window of his office looking out towards the village he waved his hand and the Anbu in the room left he then placed a privacy seal "...what happened out there Kakashi"
The Anbu captain removed his mask and rose up, as he recalled the night's events, Sarutobi's fist clenched.
"How much longer must the boy suffer and then to see his friend hurt while trying to " Sarutobi growled softly then he sighed
"With all due respect Hokage-sama why not simply tell Naruto the truth" Kakashi asked
Sarutobi sighed "I'd like nothing more but with the elder council blocking me and the civilian council breathing down my neck about Naruto-kun it would cause too much drama right now...but Kakashi you have the right idea."
Kakashi looked confused for a second then asked "What do you mean Hokage-sama"
Sarutobi turned to face his ninja and smiled "If...when Naruto-kun reaches the rank of Chunin we will reveal everything to him but not beforehand."
Kakashi sighed "And what makes you so sure he'll reach Chunin rank or Genin at that"
"I have faith that he will make Genin but to ensure that he makes Chunin well...we'll have to give him a teacher that was taught by his father now won't we." the 3rd Hokage finished with a smile
Kakashi thought for only a second 'oh boy' he then nodded "Hai Hokage-sama when the time comes...I'll do my best"
"That is all I could ask for now where are the boys" Sarutobi asked
KONOHA HOSPITAL
Naruto sat in Takeru's room while he slept. His grandparents once notified and both came rushing to check on Takeru and Naruto. This surprised Naruto; he had assumed they would be mad or blame him for Takeru's condition but they were just as scared for his well being as well. They stepped outside for a moment to speak with some doctors closing the door on the way out.
"Takeru...I'm so sorry...I never wanted any of this" Naruto said softly soft tears falling from his face
"Naruto..." Takeru said as he sat up slowly
"Takeru are you ok" Naruto smiled
Takeru rubbed to bandage on his face covering what he knew was going to be a scar, but then he nodded "Yea I'm ok because they didn't hurt my best friend" he smiled
"But you got hurt because of me and..." Naruto started
Takeru clenched the bed sheets tightly "SHUT UP BAKA" he yelled softly making Naruto halt his tongue "You are my best friend Naruto, Jiji always told me to protect your loved ones and the ones you hold close well that's what I did and I'd do it again in a heartbeat….dattebayo"
"Protect…your…" Naruto thought and considered those words then smiled his foxy grin "Thank you Takeru now I'm gonna train a lot harder so I can protect you, Jiji, baachan, Iruka Sensei and Jiji Hokage" he proclaimed jumping into the air once he landed he stuck out his thumb and gives a thumbs up "DATTEBAYO!"
Takeru smiled and returned the thumb up "I promise we'll do it together Naruto!"
Both boys were unaware of several presences around them. The Neko and Dog Anbu were stationed outside of the hospital window listening to the conversation. They were joined by another Konaha shinobi, a man with bandana Hitai-ate and a sword on his back, he had a slight cough but all three had something in common, a smile on their faces. As Takeru made his promise Maruya and Akoshi walked in standing close to the doorway.
"I'm so glad to see you both smiling" Maruya stated holding her hand to her heart with a big smile
"Naruto-kun we have a surprise for you" Akoshi said huskily with a smile
The blond boy perked up "Oh what is it?"
As soon as he said the Hokage turned the corner to enter the doorway, Hiruzen strided past the Yoto's and stopped with a smile as he was hit with a blonde blur
"Jiji!" Naruto said with a smiled
"Hello Naruto-kun…" he lightly pushed the boy off of him and knelt down "...Im so sorry for what happened tonight Naruto-kun but I promise things will be much better as I have a present for you, one i'm sure you will greatly enjoy"
As this was said both Maruya and Akoshi knelt down next to Naruto and the Hokage "With Hokage-sama's blessing, Naruto-kun how would you like to come live with us and be a part of our family?"
Both young boys' faces lit up in shock "Baa-chan does that mean Naruto will be like my brother?"
"Yes Takeru-kun he will be...if he accepts...so what do you say Naruto-kun?"
Naruto stood there with his head hung with his bangs covering his eyes. Suddenly he began to shake and this slightly worried all of them until he raised his head with a huge foxy grin and tears coming down his face. "I...I would like that very much DATTEBAYO!"
An update on this story has been long overdue. Dates have been added, scenes will be added to certain chapters, grammer has and will be fixed and there will be slight rectons here and their but none to story changing. Still not gonna hold you up here long but just a few updates
1. I still don't own Naruto.
2. I do own my OC Takeru, Maruya, Akoshi
3. You'll see Characters act a tad bit out of place (Making Smarter choices, questioning motives and revealing truths. Aright enjoy
Comment Review or Favorite THANKS ;)