Shibito Ashikabi : Legacy of The Mist Demon
Normal speech /thoughts
Demonic/ thoughts
Translations at the bottom
Disclaimer: I don't own the Naruto or Sekirei franchises. Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and Sekirei belongs to Sakurako Gokurakuin.
AN: OK, welcome back to LTMD. This note is just to clear up any potential confusion about the last two chapters. When we first see Naruto in the prologue he is depressed about the events of several hours prior, while at the end of chapter one he is determined, and full of conviction. That is due to him being on an adrenaline high, and he is in partial shock. The end of chapter one is two hours BEFORE the start of the Prologue so all the adrenaline wore off, and now Naruto knows all of his hopes, and dreams are now unachievable. The only thing that is keeping him going is his want to be found by the person who put the memory seal on him, and the promise he made during his adrenaline high, when he said he would live for Dai. Bear will be referred to by his name from now on. Also there will be another note at the bottom as this one was written before I started writing this chapter.
AN 12/01/16: Long overdue spelling, and grammer editing. Certain words have been changed.
Chapter 2 : Rest stop, then trip to Wave
Tired. That was both the look and feeling one Naruto Uzumaki currently had. His garments consisted of black ninja sandals, equally black pants with deep pockets, one of which held his scratched forehead protector. Covering his upper body was a long black hooded cloak that obscured his hair, and part of his face. He tore up the hospital gown when he was hauling through the forest so the cloak was the only thing covering his arms, and torso. The dense green foliage of the surrounding forest was all he could see, the tall trees seemingly reaching to the moonlit sky. Not a single cloud in sight, just the way Naruto liked it. Despite what one would think with the sunny personality Naruto had he would like the sun but, he preferred the moon due to finding the moon's soft ivory glow much more beautiful than the sun's blinding brightness.
Two hours ago Dai sacrificed himself so that Naruto would live, he was still coming to grips with it.
His heart that was already heavily cracked by Konoha's betrayal, had now shattered into a myriad of pieces when he left Dai. The only reason why Naruto didn't just lie down and let himself die in the woods was because he knew that would be an insult to his savior. That and the seal. He wanted it off. He wanted those memories back. He knew that Dai wasn't lying to him when he told Naruto that it was suppressing his memories. He didn't know how but he felt it his gut that it was truth. Naruto stopped walking, he was safe from the ANBU. Dai had to have lasted long enough to defeat them. Leaning against a rather thick tree, Naruto reached into his cloak, and pulled out the bear-styled mask. Holding it with the face slanted upwards, he looked at it. The black eyes of the mask stared right back into his, oddly enough seemingly asking him "What now?" Sighing Naruto put the mask back into the cloak.
It was after another two hours of walking that Naruto finally reached civilization. The sun started to rise, it's brilliant, golden rays struck the village in a way that made it seem Kami wanted him to find it. When his stomach grumbled loudly, Naruto quickened his pace. He needed food. Now. At the gate there was a young man possibly in his mid - twenties with light brown hair, and gray eyes that held a tired look in them. It was probably because he was up at the crack of dawn. His tired eyes grew a bit surprised when he saw Naruto quickly walking to him. Naruto's posture heavily indicated how tired he was. It also didn't help that his injuries still haven't had much time to heal, heck he didn't even get proper rest before Dai got him out of Konoha. Exhaustion was rapidly catching up to Naruto. Reaching the man Naruto lifted up the cloak's hood showing his tired face to the man. After a brief questioning, mostly on Naruto's reasons for being there which was rest, the man let the blonde through, and told him the directions to an inn that will let him stay for one night, and provide three meals for free. Thanking the man with a tired smile Naruto made his way there.
Finding the inn only took ten minutes due to the small size of the village. It was small, rectangular, gray, and had a light blue roof. (AN: no it's not Izumo. I'll explain when the Sekirei elements will be in the story at the bottom)After a quick knock on the door, Naruto stepped back a pace. A few moments later , a light skinned, older man who seemed to be in his seventies answered. He had light gray, almost white, hair, which was put in a short ponytail, his face had more than a few wrinkles on it, and his eyes were a muddy brown. He was garbed with a simple tan kimono. He was taller than Naruto so he had to look down a little to see who was at the door. When he noticed Naruto's exhausted posture and eyes, he invited the boy in, told him that he was about to eat breakfast, and that Naruto he looked he could use a meal. A loud rumble was the answer he received . Chuckling, the old man held the door for the slightly embarrassed Naruto.
Once inside, Naruto was directed to a small wooden table that had a plate on it. On the plate were two eggs, and small amount of rice. Naruto was asked to sit, and told to "Wait a moment", as the old man went into a room on the left. Sitting with his legs crossed, Naruto looked around the inn taking note of its simplicity. It had been painted a light - green, with a few bansi trees in a corner. A minute later, the innkeeper came back with a plate of the same food on the other just in a larger quantity, and a shirt that looked around Naruto's size. Once the older man placed the meal in front of the blonde, handed the shirt and a pair of chopsticks, they both proceeded to eat. Once finished the old man upon seeing Naruto's satisfied state, decided now was the time to inquire if he would be staying here, but first there was something he wanted to know.
"Tell me." he began kindly. "How was your meal?"
"Excellent." Naruto answered tiredly." I needed it. Thank you." Naruto said with a large grin at the end, which the innkeeper to give a small smile- that quickly went away when he stared, really stared, into his guest's eyes. They were those of one who just had his heart shattered, and had a look that told the man that the boy had lost everything.
Standing up, Naruto asked if the offer of a free nights stay, and the three free meals that the gatekeeper told him about was true. The older man confirmed he offered it, and how long Naruto would be staying. To his surprise Naruto told him only today, and tonight, then he would leave in the morning. The innkeeper then showed Naruto to his temporary room, and they gave each other their names. Upon leaving his guest the old innkeeper knew there was a story behind him.
When he first saw Naruto, he had merely thought he was just a runaway who was in over his head, though his clothes spoke different. They were something a shinobi would wear, but he hadn't seen any mark that showed loyalty to any of the ninja villages. A ronin perhaps? It made sense given the boy's state, and dress. The look in his eyes though, something happened to him. However, this was a guest, and a complete stranger, who the old innkeeper knew nothing about. He decided to observe the boy, and find out a little bit more about his situation before he did anything. Normally he wouldn't care that much if a guest was in emotional pain, but this boy's eyes. "No one, young or old, should have eyes that look like they've only known anguish." After being given his room, the first thing our protagonist did was find the futon. He was exhausted, in pain, had no idea what to do, and he just wanted some goddamn sleep. He was out the second he closed his eyes.
Drip... Drip…Drip... Opening his cerulean blue eyes, Naruto immediately knew were he was, the cracked walls, and rusty pipes riddled with holes were all the confirmation he needed. Sighing, Naruto got to his feet- and quickly looked down. His eyes widened considerably he saw that the normally ankle-high water was now up to his knees, an indication to how much sadness and pain he was in. With a more depressed sigh, Naruto started walking down hall going to the cage that held his burden, the reason why Konoha hated him. Exiting the hall, Naruto once again gazed at the golden bars, and a small piece of paper with odd writing on it set in an intricate pattern. Behind those bars were crimson orbs filled with undying hatred, the eyes of the strongest being in the Elemental Nations, the eyes of the Kyūbi no Kitsune. Being forced to lay down due to the small cage, the Kyūbi watched as his jailer slowly walked towards the center of room, stopping there so he was a safe distance away the cage, more importantly out of reach from the Kyūbi's sharp, deadly claws. Then an odd thought popped into Naruto's head. "Why bother? It's not like I really have something to live for. I can't become Hokage, and I won't be able to settle down anywhere because Konoha will never stop looking for me."
Unknown to Naruto, his prisoner heard to his thought, and was promptly annoyed. Every time one of his past containers were in the seal they would only just rant on how bad their pathetic lives were, selfishly thought that they were the only ones that suffered because of their "burden". At least they weren't trapped in a cramped, and uncomfortable cage forced to be put through unending boredom, and silence. The prisoner saw that Naruto now floated on the surface of the, and stared at the ceiling. The fox knew it wouldn't be long until he was once again forced to listen to someone bitch and moan, and given the events of nine hours ago, he would have to listen for a long time. Eyes closed, the fox prepared himself "Here it comes." Five minutes of silence later the kitsune opened one eye, and saw Naruto still laid there on the water.
"…Your not going to rant?"
"No."
"Why?" The Bijuu asked, surprise evident on his face.
The blonde still stared at the ceiling, and dully answered "What's the point? It's not going to change anything." The mature answer surprised Kyūbi internally, while he knew Naruto wasn't as big of a buffoon as he appeared, the fox figured his container would grouse about his situation, or at least give a few petty complaints, but there was nothing. Nothing! Shifting his body so his paws were under his muzzle, the Kybūi closed his eye as a somewhat comfortable but, tense silence came between the two. Naruto's body started to fade a few minutes later signaling that mentally he was falling asleep.
"...That was different." The Kybūi said once Naruto was gone.
Waking up, Naruto sat up, and stretched out his arms, and noticed his back was feeling somewhat better when he felt a very dull pain coming from it.
"At least I still don't have to worry about that anymore." He thought dryly. Looking out the window in his room, Naruto saw that the sun was high in the sky which told him that it was probably around eleven or twelve. Naruto put his clothes on then reached for his frog wallet Gama-Chan, and cursed loudly in his mind when he realized that he didn't have it with him when Dai got him out of Konoha. Once they were out of the hospital, they just high - tailed it out of there without stopping. Damn, he had nothing. No money, no clothes, no weapons, no ramen... Massive waterfalls of tears immediately started falling down his face when the last thought registered.
"DAMN YOU SASUKE, DAMN YOU!" He screamed mentally, then a sad look came to his face as he realized something-something that made him see how much he really had lost. " I'll never see Iruka again." thought Naruto mournfully.
"I'll never see Ayame, or old man Teuchi again. I'll never see Konohamaru or, his friends again, and I can't let anyone from the other teams see me, I've probably already got a bounty put on my head." Naruto felt his sorrow grow with each thought. Shaking his head to clear his mind of such harrowing thoughts, the blonde decided to check his back to determine exactly how bad the damage was.
When he entered the bathroom that was attached to the room the first thing our protagonist did was take off his shirt. Turning around so his back was faced the mirror, a large grimace came on to Naruto's face when he saw the heavy scaring on his back. In the center there was what looked to be a jagged circle that had trails of zigzagging lines in various directions, stopping where the back turned into his sides. The entire thing reminded him somewhat of a spider web that did not have threads between the strings. It was colored an angry red, which Naruto hoped would fade away fast. He put the shirt back on, Naruto decided to make a plan so he would be able to live long enough for Dai's partner to find him.
"He said do whatever it takes to live." Naruto contemplated on the advice Dai gave him.
"Train, and get a disguise huh, I can do that, however the true problem is shelter. I can't stay here. I need to get out of Fire Country." He concluded in his mind, then palmed his face hard, a very small, but noticeable hole in his plan.
"I HAVE NOWHERE TO GO!" Naruto raged in his mind, face angry, and hands balled into fists.
"Sasuke...FUCK YOU, YOU LIFE RUINING BASTARD! I SHOULD HAVE LET YOU GO TO THAT PEDO! YOU ALREADY HAVE A STICK UP YOUR ASS, MIGHT AS WELL PUT A DICK UP THERE TOO!" Then he started to lightly laugh. "I wonder if Orochimaru really does swing that way, I can imagine if Sasuke had gotten to the snake, looking for power, and instead ends up becoming his uke- hey!" Naruto cut himself off.
"I just realized Sasuke has uke in his name. It seems he's destined to be someone's bitch." The blonde finished quietly. Smiling slightly Naruto shook his head. He figured it was time to start planning for long term survival. After all, he had people looking for him, but there was only one who Naruto wanted to be found by.
-Six hours later-
Even though the village, that Naruto learned was named Karakura (AN: I don't own bleach T.T) ,was small it's market was certainly busy. The stalls were filled with food, clothes, trinkets, and drinks of all kinds. Normally, Naruto would be running all over the place, buying all sorts of stuff, but given what he was just put through, he just walked at a brisk pace. The betrayal opened his eyes, and they were opened wide. While he truly wasn't an idiot, he knew he was too trusting, and gullible but, it wasn't his fault. The blame is on Konoha for their treatment of the boy. Thinking of his former home caused Naruto to slump as he walked, and tears formed in his eyes. It hurt damn it. He now knew, thanks to his recently opened eyes, that he would never be able to change the villager's opinion of him, but it still hurt. He shed blood, sweat, and tears for that them, and they worship a traitor instead. Sighing once again, Naruto chose to focus on why he was out here. When he left the inn, the jinchuuriki quickly found a construction sight. Seeing as how he had no money, Naruto saw an opportunity, and after convincing the supervisor he was fit to work, Naruto worked for five hours at 300 yen an hour(AN: 1 yen = 1$) getting himself an ok amount of money. He just wished that this place had a casino, then his money problem would be eradicated with extreme prejudice. While life seemed to hate him, lady luck must have wanted to marry him due to how good he was at gambling. Chuckling lightly, Naruto remembered the look on Jiraiya's face when they found out about Naruto's talent. Eyes widened once again as a very dangerous realization dawned on Naruto. Jiraiya was loyal to the leaf, and had a massive spy network.
"Shit." The curse came out in a whisper. This was bad. Jiraiya could easily find Naruto, and bring him in for execution. Naruto couldn't even breathe against him, Jiraiya was a Sennin! He was a kage - level shinobi who wasn't tied down to his village. If that wasn't bad enough the guy is able to summon giant to-
"The toads!" Naruto exclaimed internally.
"I can summon them too! Maybe they can... No they can not." Naruto thought, his excitement turned into sorrow.
"They are a summoning clan of Konoha. They are a threat." He finished sadly. He knew what he had to do, for his own safety, his contract with the toads had to be canceled. Making a mental note, Naruto decided to finish his current task, and then remove his summoning contact. The blonde told himself he was just handling one thing at a time. He knew that was a lie, he just didn't want to lose anyone else important to him.
After spending the past hour walking around the market place, and buying traveling supplies, the new missing-nin decided to move up his timetable. Naruto had originally assumed that there was nowhere safe for him to reside, however much to his surprise he proven wrong as the Kyūbi reminded him of Wave country. The Kyūbi only served to surprise him further by actually telling the new nuke-nin that the reminder was a thank you for not annoying him with petty complaints when Naruto was in the seal. Though the kitsune did threaten to put his container with intense pain that would, in his words, "Make the pain the bastard Uchiha's chidori caused feel like a mosquito bite." if Naruto ever told anyone that the fox thanked him. Visibly disturbed at the memory of the pain the chidori caused, Naruto tried to compose himself as he was went to tell the innkeeper of his change of plans. Naruto had used up 250 yen buying food, a tent, matches, water, a map of the Elemental Nations, a book on things to avoid in the woods, and a compass resulting in him having 1250 yen left. As thanks for housing him, Naruto had figured he should give the innkeeper 500 yen, the rest saved for himself.
When he told the innkeeper he was leaving the man took out Naruto's defaced forehead protector which instantly filled him with dread. His dread turned into an uneasy relief when the innkeeper told Naruto that he simply wanted to know what drove Naruto to become a missing-nin as Naruto looked fresh out of the academy. With a sigh, Naruto began the tale of his betrayal not even bothering to conceal his burden from the man. What did Naruto have lose. Once finished, Naruto looked at the older man expecting to be thrown out only to see his eyes filled with sadness, and respect for the jinchuuriki for the trails he endured. Wishing Naruto a safe trip, and told him that if he was ever in need of a safe house to come back, the innkeeper bid Naruto goodbye.
Thirty minutes after he left Karakura Naruto summoned the toads, and terminated his contract with them, officially severing the last tie he had to Konoha. He dashed through the forest on the ground as he followed the directions on the map to Wave. Jumping on trees would be faster but Naruto didn't want to push himself too far as his body was still a injured. That, and he wanted to stay low to the ground, where the heavy undergrowth would hide him. It was a precaution incase Konoha sent more ANBU after him, he wouldn't take chances. After three more hours of running, Naruto had arrived at the bridge. Naruto took some time to look at, and appreciate what it stood for, which was freedom. Freedom from someone controlling how you live, and what you can do. The blonde felt a small smile appear on his face when he saw the name- The Great Naruto Bridge. Shaking his head, smile still in place, Naruto proceeded on his way. He had to visit Tazuna, and his family.
Once off the bridge Naruto was quickly stumped.
"Where does the old drunk live again?" Naruto asked himself, a small sweat drop formed on the back of his head.
" I was only here once, and I didn't expect to be back for a while... Oh well, time to ask for directions."
Naruto concluded.
" I'll have to keep my identity concealed though. I may be considered a hero here but I can't take any chance of Konoha finding out where I am." With that final thought the nuke-nin started looking for someone to ask for directions, a cover story already formed about his reason for visiting. They did NOT need to know that Naruto was now a fugitive. After a few minutes of asking, Naruto received directions from a young man on break from his job.
-Half an hour later-
It was early at night, around seven pm, when Naruto made it to the old bridge builder's house. The lights were on, and in the moonlight he noticed It had been given a new look, painted a misty blue with a white roof, and door. Going up to the door, Naruto knocked twice, and took off his hood, exposing his face, he was safe here. Hearing a feminine voice call out "I'm coming" told Naruto Tsunami was still living with her father. The door opened, and was he quickly pulled in a with a shout of "NARUTO!" Chuckling lightly, Naruto returned the hug.
"It's good to see you again Tsunami." Naruto greeted her. (AN: Look her up if you want to know what she looks like.)
"It is good to see you as well Naruto." She said in return.
"Inari, and Tazuna are at the store picking up some stuff for me." She informed him receiving a nod of confirmation. "Oh they will be so excited to see you!" When he walked in, Naruto quickly noticed the smell of food cooking, which signaled his stomach to growl. Cheeks slightly red from embarrassment, Naruto asked to lie down until dinner was ready, and asked Tsunami to keep his arrival a secret so he could surprise Inari. Happily to degree, the mother showed her guest to the same room he slept in during the mission.
"Mom we're home!" A childish voice called from outside ten minutes after Naruto's entrance into Tsunami's home. Opening the door, a young boy walked through followed by an older man who appeared to be in his late forties, or fifties. They were Tsunami's son, and father, Inari, and Tazuna respectively. (AN: Look them up to if you want to know what they look like)
"Welcome back Sochi(son), dad." Tsunami greeted them. "Dinner is on the table, put the bags in the kitchen, I will put them up after we've eaten."
"Mmmmm, smells good!"
Tazuna said, drooling a little bit "Let's eat!" The three made their way to the dinner table, however Inari noticed something a little odd.
"Hey, mom," Inari looked at his mother questioningly.
"Why are there four bowls on the table?"
"Oh it appears I forgot to tell you two" she answered, not bothering too fake innocence "We have a guest." she answered, smiling. "You can come down now!" she called out in a loud voice. The sound of footsteps on stairs was heard as someone made their way downstairs. "I wonder who that is?" thought Tazuna, and Inari.
"Sorry this is unannounced." A very familiar male voice said, a voice that caused the two other males eyes to widen, and the younger one to grin. "But I wanted to see you." The voice finished his decent revealing the black - clad form of -
"NARUTO!" Inari shouted out, happily running towards the older boy, and tackling him into a hug, causing the two adults to start laughing.
"Welcome back brat!" Tazuna spoke in between fits of laughter. "Let's eat first then talk, ok!?"
"Ok!"
After the tasty dinner, that was quickly by the small family of three due to their desire to know what Naruto had been up to, of which he happily told them, the obvious left out. After the food was finished Naruto changed the subject of the conversation to how has Wave been. The three couldn't have been happier tell him the effects of the bridge, it truly saved their home! Thanks to the bridge, the economy thrived, employment was up, nobody had to worry about food, and water. No one was dressed in rags anymore as they starved in the street.
"Wow, that much in this short amount of time, I'm glad that I was a part of making the project successful." Naruto said after two hours of talking.
"What do mean "a part of?" Tazuna questioned. "You were the one who inspired us to rise up together! I wouldn't have let them name the bridge after someone who just had been "a part of" making it a reality." Tazuna explained.
"No, it was because of you that the bridge stands today. You are a hero."
"YEAH!" Inari shouted, only to be playfully scolded by his mother.
"Father is right though." Tsunami spoke, her next words supported her father's opinion. "Our success is thanks to you, and your team." Tsunami then grew a curious look on her face. "Speaking of your team, where are they?"
"It's just me." Naruto answered. "I had some vacation time available so I decided to come back here." Naruto used the cover story he made up on his way there. Tsunami smiled then told Inari to get to bed, causing said boy to whine in protest until Naruto told him that he would take Inari fishing tomorrow making the boy give an excited whoop, and hurry off to bed shocking Tsunami, and made Tazuna chuckle. Shortly after Inari was in bed Tsunami decided to hit the hay, which left Naruto, and Tazuna alone.
"Naruto," Tazuna began in a low voice. "Why are you really here?"
"So you didn't fall for it." Naruto replied sadly.
"I may be getting old but I'm not senile yet. " The older man told him. "You may be able to lie with your words, and face, but you can't lie with your eyes. Tell me, what happened?" Tazuna asked concerned. "You look like you just lost everything."
"I did." Naruto simply replied. "Make yourself comfortable, this is going to take a while." With that said Naruto began his tale of the events leading up to the present.
"... And that's why I'm here. I couldn't think of anywhere else to go." Naruto finished his tale that shell-shocked Tazuna. He couldn't believe it! How could Konoha choose a traitor over somebody who was loyal?
"Oh yeah cause they think Naruto is a monster." Tazuna thought, his temper rising.
"This whole situation is a giant load of crap. I'm just glad that this Dai person, and another guy was there for Naruto, even though he can't remember." Tazuna continued his mental monolog, though the older man had once more been shocked at what shinobi were capable of.
" I had no idea shinobi were able to do that. Seal away a person's memories? That's crazy." Tazuna looked at Naruto, and saw him stare right back.
After a minute of staring Tazuna Finally spoke.
"You can stay here for as long as you need, I won't leave you high, and dry like those bastards back in the leaf."
"Thank you." Naruto responded gratefully. " I'll need some supplies, and more clothes though. I can't stay here for long." Naruto informed Tazuna. " I'll stay for one or two days, then I'm off."
"Ok then." Tazuna accepted, a bit disappointed that the blonde wouldn't stay long.
"Allow me to pay for all your needs. Don't argue with me either, you have no money." Tazuna firmly stated in a firm voice. " After everything you've done for my home this is the least I can do." Tazuna started to walk away, then turned around and asked "What are you going to do long term? This mystery person could take a year to find you."
Naruto was quiet for a minute. He looked up, and told Tazuna in a low voice "I don't know."
CUT!
AN: Ok second chapter is finished. First order of business, I didn't describe Tazuna, and his family because I wasn't sure how to describe them plus besides the beginning of next chapter they won't even make an appearance in the rest of the fanfiction. Speaking of next chapter I'm finally revealing who Dai's mystery partner is, which means that the memory seal is getting removed. Also rejoice! After the next chapter we finally are getting into Sekirei! As for the harem I have already picked it out so please don't ask me to put anybody in it.
Grey-blueflames burning out. Later!