Underneath the Underneath
By: FlameXFullmetal
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I only own original characters.
A/N: Sorry for the late update but I have been sick for the last few weeks and haven't been up to typing out the chapter. Anyways, by now you should know the drill!
Ituquiorra: In the online etiquette putting words in all caps is the same as shouting. So not only was Kyuubi yelling but that is how it must have sounded like a kid. That's all. Although, I am glad that you got a laugh out of it.
Plasma Dragon 321: I know right? How is fair that only the females got the more useful of the clan's bloodlines?!
"hello" people (bijuu in human form) speaking
'hello' people (bijuu in human form) thinking/coded hand signals
"HELLO" bijuu (full demon form)/summoning/deity yelling
"hello" bijuu (full demon form)/summoning/deity talking
'hello' bijuu (full demon form)/summoning/deity thinking
hello jutsu
************Summoning Contracts**********
After leaving his mind Naruto and his team began to make their way to the hidden vault on the island. All of them hoped that whatever contract they wound up with would not take all of their remaining time to do the test. Hinata herself was quite eager to see Naruto claim his rightful inheritance. She had known that most clans had a family specific summoning, however, most of the time that summoning was left for the clan heirs and even then they normally weren't used that frequently. The only one that she knew was commonly used was the Sarutobi clan's monkey summoning. Thinking of the Sarutobi clan made Hinata frown. The Sandaime had lost quite a bit of her respect over the last few months. It almost seemed as if a part of him wanted Naruto to remain ignorant of his lineage and never claim what truly belonged to him.
"Well, this is where the entrance is apparently," Naruto said out loud breaking her from her thoughts. Looking ahead she sweat-dropped at the solid stone in front of her. Before she could say anything Naruto applied a drop of blood and the stone seemingly collapsed into the ground revealing a staircase that led underground. Taking a deep breath she followed the blonde she loved through the dark hallway watching in fascination as the walls were constantly lighting up with the formula for various seals and acting as their only source of light. The seals themselves were so intricate that to someone who didn't know they would just be decorative designs on the wall. Each one flowing as easily as water.
The walk seemed to take hours by the time that they reached a large circular room. The room itself was nothing special and the seals that lined the way all connected to the bottoms of torches literally coming out of the walls. As soon as the light reached them the torches combusted causing a massive amount of light to flood the room temporarily blinding the small group. As soon as they could see they looked around and saw that the only thing that changed was the addition of a translucent figure in the middle of the room. Appearing o be feminine in stature the person had their head lowered and seemed to be dressed in very old-fashioned garb. As their head raised the group was met with a steely gaze of deep violet pools that seemed almost as if it weren't looking at them but rather their souls. The woman stared for several minutes before standing and turning her attention to Kimiko.
"One of the nine fragments of the accursed Juubi. The strongest, if I am not mistaken. However, you have seemingly lost quite a bit of your chakra. Taken by the death god himself. What have you gotten yourself into, Kurama?"
"Who are you?" Kimiko demanded glaring at the figure. Almost as soon as the words left her mouth she found the figure nearly nose to nose with her staring at her once more.
"I see. So he purposely never told you what I looked like only that I existed." Naruto felt his eyes widen in realization.
"You are the founder of the Uzumaki clan aren't you? My ancestor." As she turned her head to the blonde she felt herself almost puzzled by the boy. He had Kurama's chakra and yet he didn't seem as if he coveted the power. If anything he was trying to find ways around using it.
"And you are?"
"Naruto Namikaze-Uzumaki. Son of Kushina Uzumaki."
"Interesting you seemed to have very powerful genetics from your father to override the red hair of our clan. So you are one of the last of my line still alive."
"One of...There are more survivors?" Naruto asked hopefully.
"I can only sense the presence of five at the moment. One whose line left the clan some time ago. The second is weakening even as we speak. The third...prays for someone to help them but does not expect it. The fourth seems to have been quite tainted...I wouldn't even call him a member of the family. The last feels similar to you...I sense another of the fragments."
"Another Uzumaki is a jinchuriki?!" Naruto yelled in both shock and sorrow. He had hoped that no other in the line would share the fate that he, Kushina and Mito had bared.
"It appears so. Although I can not sense which fragment."
"I'll try to reach out to the other bijuu and see who is sealed and where," Kimiko said softly to Naruto who nodded in response.
"Why are you here?" Naruto asked quietly.
"I built this vault and the security that went into it. Though admittedly I am hesitant to allow other not from the family inside."
"They are fine. This is my sensei Kakashi Hatake and my girlfriend Hinata Hyuga. I will vouch for their trustworthiness."
"I see. If you are certain of their trustworthiness. I will allow them to pass. However, a word of caution. Reveal the accursed eye behind your headband and I will destroy it. That thing stole my brother's sanity and the happiness of his descendants. I will not tolerate it's presence more than I already have."
"I have no intention of using it. I learned a painful lesson about depending on it and I must say that after having it for years it is more of a hindrance than a help." Kakashi told the woman honestly.
"There is a small seal at the back of the vault hidden on the underside of a rock. It contains scrolls that Miss Hyuga has inherited. I promised my uncle I would only allow one of his descendants who share his eyes to look at it when he gave them to me for safekeeping. He had a feeling that his descendants would descend to the place where they are and he was right. You are the first to my knowledge. The scrolls and their secrets are yours to do with as you please. However, I must stress caution in showing the contents to anyone. Your eyes are different from the rest of your family's. Until you can use their full potential you would be in grave danger should someone know what you possess." She said before beginning to fade.
"Wait!" Naruto called out quickly making her turn. "What is your name? Even on the family tree, there are only question marks where your name should be. I wish to correct that."
"You are very sweet. However, remember that names have power over their bearers. If you are meant to know my name then you will. However, the family tree will never display my name for the world to see." Nodding in acceptance Naruto watched as she faded from sight and the back wall of the room shimmered revealing a door that had not been there previously. Taking a deep breath the group of four stepped inside and then gasped in shock at the massive amount of scrolls, weapons and various other items contained within.
As soon as they broke out of their shock, Hinata made a beeline for the back of the vault hoping to find the scrolls that the woman had spoken of. Naruto headed towards the contracts and Kimiko just stood beside the silver-haired jonin. Kakashi himself was having a hard time processing what he was seeing. If the Uzumaki had access to this kind of knowledge and weaponry then HOW did they lose the fight against their invaders? Even a surprise attack is only a surprise for the first moment or two.
"There are reasons that these things were sealed away Kakashi. I can only imagine that the items here were deemed too dangerous for even the Uzumaki to consider using or they had marked them as kinjutsu and were forbidden from using them no matter what."
"This is true," Kakashi said in a respectful tone. "However, even the more morally strict shinobi will resort to kinjutsu to save their home and loved ones if all else fails."
"Can you say that they failed? Those weren't all Uzumaki remains out there. A good number belonged to the island's assailants. Besides, they could have felt that the cost of using them was far worse than not using them. As you know most kinjutsu are labeled as such due to the cost of life that they require. In addition, a majority of these were placed here mainly to prevent people from using them again." Nodding in surrender they laughed to see Naruto practically sparkling. As Kakashi opened his mouth to ask why Hinata raced back into view wide-eyed.
"Kakashi-sensei, Kimiko-chan, Naruto-Kun come look at this!" She yelled uncharacteristically. Nodding to the girl Naruto ran over and tilted his head in confusion.
"This scroll says that my clan's founder, Hamura Otsutsuki, had a higher level of the Byakugan! It was called the Tenseigan and it was believed that the dojutsu could revive a planet that had already been destroyed. From what I've already read it seems to hold similar powers to the Rinnegan." She explained breathlessly unrolling the scroll to show the design of the eye. It appeared to be almost light blue with a white floral pattern in it.
"To think that the Hyuga had such potential the whole time."
"So that is what she meant," Kimiko said leaning back. "Naruto's ancestor was basically implying that you have the purest form of the dojutsu. If I am correct the only thing that you are missing is chakra strong enough to cause the evolution."
"Hai. The scroll has instructions on how to increase my chakra's strength and potency but I don't think that it would work. The scroll specifically states that it needs Otsutsuki chakra to evolve."
"You are a descendant of the Otsutsuki, you have it it is just diluted. The exercises must be a way to increase the potency specifically of the Otsutsuki chakra to allow for the evolution." Kimiko countered. Hinata nodded and Kakashi smiled.
"Well, we know what you will be working on during the chakra portion of our training." Nodding enthusiastically Hinata rolled up the scroll and sealed it away in a blood seal.
"I think I found the perfect summoning for you Hinata! Look!" Naruto said eagerly pulling his girlfriend over to the table full of massive scrolls. Pointing to one in specific Naruto watched as Hinata approached the scroll and unrolled it to read through it. Her eyes widened as she reached the section naming the summoning clan for the contract.
"Tigers?"
"Yup. They are fierce when need be and very agile and fast. They are perfect for not only covering the Byakugan's weak spot but also for enhancing your offensive capabilities when you are fighting long range enemies until you have the techniques for it! They could force a hiding enemy or one keeping their distance towards you and putting them in the required range for your juken." Naruto explained making Kakashi nod in agreement.
"When explained like that then they are the perfect companion for a Hyuga. Furthermore, they could teach her another fighting style that would take advantage of her speed and flexibility."
"Thank you Naruto-Kun!" Nodding to himself Naruto rifled through the rather impressive stack of scrolls and then held one out to the copy-nin.
"This is the contract for wolves. They are of the canine family and you once said that the contract you have now is more of a personal summons. I don't think they would have a problem with you holding a contract for another canine clan." Kakashi felt his eyes widen in slight surprise.
"Naruto...thank you."
"No problem sensei. Oh, Kimiko I found something that you may have been looking for awhile." He said tossing a scroll towards her. Holding the old document together was a golden fox seal.
"The kitsune contract...to think that the Uzumaki had it the whole time..." Kimiko trailed off as her thoughts ran nearly a mile a minute at the implications having the scroll could represent.
"Kitsune contract? Didn't you already have Naruto sign that? Isn't that how he sends the letters to Kumo for me?" Hinata asked.
"Yes and no. What many ninjas don't know is that each contract falls into a different category or rank. The higher the rank the less likely a person will be to use the contract and the more powerful the summons are. Personal summons, like the one that Kakashi has with his ninken, and the one that I allowed Naruto to sign, are among the lowest rank because they do not hold sway over a particular clan. Just a small group of a clan. Contracts like the ones that Hanzo the Salamander and the three sannin used are among the higher level contracts. Actually, they are the peak of the normal summon clans."
"Normal?"
"Yes normal. This is where the categories come into play. You have item summons, human summons, personal summons, normal summons, what the summon clans refer to as celestial summons and then the demonic summons. In regards to strength, it goes item, personal, normal, demonic and then celestial. Even the bijuu will not willingly fight a celestial summons. We know better. Most living summons can die, it is just hard to kill them. The only exceptions to this are the demonic and celestial summons. The demonic, well, that should be obvious since you can't kill chakra. The best you will manage to do without the use of fuinjutsu is to scatter the chakra temporarily. Celestial summons, on the other hand, has only ever died to old age. It is believed that in regards to combat they are immortal. Actually, I know for a fact that the phoenix summons are immortal." The vixen stopped and looked towards her audience to see the looks of shock on their faces.
"I had no idea." Kakashi replied.
"The Tigers are considered to be one of the celestial contracts. So that is a very strong contract for you should they accept you."
"Thank you Kimiko-chan."
"The kitsune contract is technically a contract with all foxes with me as the boss summons. Although, that could have changed in my hundred year imprisonment. Due to the fact that all of the foxes of the contract have been imbued with my chakra and are demonic in nature, it is considered a demonic contract. However, the one that Naruto has is technically a personal summons. This is the master contract. The personal contract I gave him works solely for myself and several messengers that I had been training but never got to introduce to the clan before my imprisonment." As Kimiko opened her mouth to continue something caught her eye.
"Naruto, over in that glass case is the Uzumaki clan contract. In truth, I don't even know what is contracted to your clan. The Uzumaki almost never used the summoning out of respect and a refusal to get them involved in human affairs. If they did summon them, no one lived to recount the tale and reveal the summoning clan." Almost as if in a trance Naruto moved over to the contract and ran his hand over the case. A part of him wanted to take the scroll and sign it instantly to find out what the contract would summon. However, another part of him didn't want to know and almost longed to keep the beautiful looking scroll in the protective case.
'Naruto go ahead and sign it. If it was meant to sit there and look pretty it wouldn't be a summon contract.' His mother's voice rang out in his head. Nodding Naruto carefully removed the glass lid and reached for the scroll. As soon as his hand made contact, however, both he and the scroll vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Naruto-Kun!"
"Calm down. The scroll must have a reverse summoning attached to it in order to verify the identity of whoever touches it to ensure that the summon clan's secret is not found out. In the meantime let's seal all of this up and you can get around to signing your contracts." Nodding hesitantly Hinata and Kakashi began to assist the vixen in sealing the rather impressive amount of knowledge and weapons. The whole time Kimiko was lost in thought with only one thought being the most prominent. 'Should I allow it? Is it worth the risk?'
With Naruto...
"Ow what just happened?" Naruto asked as he looked around and found himself in a very heavy fog.
"Identify yourself and explain how you got your hands on that scroll."
"Huh? Oh um...I found it in...the...clan's vault..." Naruto felt his words die on his tongue as he came face to face with the largest creature he had ever met and he had met Kimiko in her full fox form!
"That does not explain who you are mortal."
"Uzumaki-Namikaze Naruto." He whispered in a mix of both fear and awe.
"Uzumaki? Impossible that line died years ago!"
"No, it didn't! There are still like six of us left!" Naruto protested making the creature blink at the volume.
"You are certainly a noisy one."
"That is enough, Kaze." The creature turned to look at the voice and immediately bowed and backed away.
"This boy is indeed of Uzumaki blood. The main line I believe, which would make you the heir to the clan."
"Yeah...I hope this doesn't come off as rude but...what are you? I've never seen anything like you before in my life."
"Interesting. So the shinobi have continued that disgraceful jinchuriki program of theirs. Do they not realize that they are destroying themselves?" The creature asked ignoring Naruto's question. "Even more so is the scent of death about you...You have come in contact with the death god himself and yet you live. How is that?"
"He was going to fight the Kyuubi in my head and I told him he wasn't allowed and then made a deal with him to get my parents back." It was then that some of the fog surrounding him cleared and he could see many more of the same creatures in varying sizes and colors gaping at him.
"What did I say?"
"You basically ordered the death god and then struck a deal with him?"
"Well, yeah of course I did. After all, I am the one that would suffer a migraine if they had actually started fighting. Besides the most powerful person in the mind is the person that the mind belongs to right? So, theoretically, I could have stripped the death god of his powers and made him a helpless mortal.." Naruto explained to the baffled audience.
"You are truly an Uzumaki through and through! There are none other crazy enough to pull such a stunt!" The creature barked in laughter causing the others to groan in exasperation.
"Um, thanks? I think."
"Come little one and we will begin your test. Do note that you will be unable to call forth the nine-tails' power. You must complete this test on your own power and the two residing in your head will not be able to provide assistance." Gulping nervously Naruto followed the creature hoping that he would at least survive the test.
With Hinata...
"All you have to do is bite your finger and write your name in an empty spot. Then place the bloody fingerprints of the hand that you will be using underneath." Kimiko instructed Hinata who nodded. Quickly writing her name and making the fingerprints she ran through the required seals.
"Kuchiyose no jutsu!" She called slamming her hand on the ground. A puff of smoke later and Hinata was looking at the most adorable tiger cub she had ever seen. Pure white in color the cub seemed to have just woke from a nap and was staring at her sleepily. Unable to resist she squealed and wrapped her arms around the tiger hugging it to her chest.
"KAWAII!" Kimiko just watched in amusement as the tiger cub finally seemed to have realized what had happened and began to struggle a little.
"Hinata, you will have to let go if you intend to take their test to be their summoner." Blushing in embarrassment she released the cub and apologized. Licking her face the cub gave her what she assumed was a smile before vanishing in a puff of smoke.
"That was one of the youngest tiger cubs that could have been summoned. Not bad for a first try. Now use a lot more chakra and we should get one that can talk." Nodding, Hinata repeated the motion and a much larger poof of smoke appeared.
"So the cub was right and there is a new summoner. Tell me what is your name?"
"Hyuga Hinata. It is a pleasure to meet you." The shy heiress replied bowing respectfully. Giving the kunoichi a once over the tiger nodded.
"Polite, strong as well and yet humble. You still don't have full confidence in your abilities and yet you seem to be improving daily. What strange company you keep, however. I believe that it has been two hundred years since we last met, Kurama."
"Kimiko now and yes it has been two hundred years. Two hundred and forty-three to be exact, Asami."
"Kimiko, huh? It fits you. Your disappearance has caused quite the stir among the clans. Couple that with the disappearances of Shukaku, Matatabi, Isobu, Son Goku, Kokuo, Saiken, Chomei and Gyuki and the clans have become anxious about serving humans."
"I can assure that only the demonic clans must worry and even then so long as they don't bring attention to themselves they should be fine. Uchiha Madara made a fine mess of things a century ago which led to mine and the other bijuu being sealed away inside of humans. However, an incident some time ago has released me from my seal and as a result, I am to speak with you. We will need to catch up later as Hinata here would like to become your first summoner and three hundred and fifty years."
"I see. Give me a second to retrieve my mate as he will need to decide the test...Actually, why don't I just take you to him."
"Wha.?" Hinata was cut off mid-sentence as she was taken to the summon realm when Asami returned.
"Good luck, Byakugan princess," Kimiko whispered.
With Kakashi...
Kakashi, on the other hand, was staring at the wolf contract. He knew that combat-wise, while his ninken were good, they lacked the offensive power necessary to fight other summons and he knew that there would be a time when he may need to. Despite that, he felt almost unfaithful to the pack when considering a new contract. Sighing he quickly ran through the seals and summoned his companions.
"Pakkun. Bull. Urushi. Shiba. Bisuke. Akino. Uhei. Guruko. It is good to see all of you together again."
"You rarely ever summon us together Kakashi. What is the occasion and what is this place?"
"This is Uzushiogakure, Bull." The ninken felt their eyes widen in shock at the confession of where they were. "I brought Naruto here to claim his clan's scrolls and belongings. One of the many things that he found was the summoning contract for the wolf clan and he thinks that it would suit me. However, I don't feel right signing it without your consent. You have been my partners for years and to just sign a second contract feels like I am betraying the pack."
"I see you want our opinions and blessing to do so," Shiba responded with a rather happy look at the thoughtfulness.
"You seem to have considered the benefit of having a second summon contract," Bisuke said curling up in front of his summoner.
"Yes. While you eight are strong, especially when working together, that strength would not be enough to challenge another summon clan like the snakes for example. I will eventually be forced to confront Orochimaru as Naruto has made a deal with death himself to claim the snake sannin's soul so it is unavoidable. As it is I don't see much of a positive outcome should I, myself, have to confront one of his summon snakes. In that regard having a second contract that could be beneficial, even crucial to surviving." Kakashi explained as the ninken nodded in understanding. Kakashi didn't want to put them at risk of injury like the last time that he summoned them together for that mission with Kumo.
"I see nothing wrong with the contract, we have no quarrel with the wolves. Though we do sometimes compete over who the better tracker is." Pakkun finally said after a few moments and the eight conversing quietly.
"Thank you. I would like you to stay so that you can meet them."
"It would be good to see them again," Urushi confessed making everyone laugh. Unfurling the scroll and signing quickly, Kakashi once more ran through the required seals and slammed his hand on the ground. Another puff of smoke appeared but this time when it cleared a massive wolf could be seen staring at the Hatake almost menacingly.
"Now, now Daiki is that any way to greet your first summoner in years?" Pakkun chastised catching the wolf's attention.
"Pakkun? Why are you here?"
"Kakashi, the one that summoned you has a personal contract with the eight of us. He wished to seek permission to summon the wolf clan as well as to minimize the number of injuries we may sustain in combat as well as to handle the other summon clans. Something that we are not equipped to handle."
"I see. I will take you to the elder and he will decide." Nodding in agreement Kakashi felt an unfamiliar sensation before he, and his ninken, vanished from the island leaving the vixen alone.
As soon as she felt Kakashi's presence fade, Kimiko opened the kitsune contract and placed a hand on the summoning formula inscribed inside. A pulse of her chakra was all it took for a plume of smoke that could be seen from the mainland to appear.
"Daichi, we need to speak with the clan. However, I am incapable of traveling to the summon realm on my own at this time. Will you take me there?"
"As you wish, Kurama."
***********T.B.C************
A/N: Hello! Well, I hope that chapter came out all right. I intended for more of the summons to be done but the chapter was running a bit long so I decided to leave the actual trials to the next chapter. I originally didn't know what contract to give Hinata and the idea of giving her the slug contract wasn't appealing. I felt that the Tigers would suit her better as they were graceful, beautiful and powerful. Just like Hinata! In any event, there will be a small time skip in the next chapter. Not a big one but a small one maybe two weeks at most. I hope that you enjoyed and as always if you find a grammatical or spelling error that bothers you that I missed during the review let me know and I will eventually go back and fix it. As it is I have already done another sweep of the previous chapters and fixed the errors that were pointed out and that I found. Until next time! Ja ne!