Naruto: Shaded Chapter Nine

Naruto stood paralyzed as Viscrag walked toward him. Splish Splash Splish Splash. The sounds of Viscrag's pale feet parted the water of Naruto's Mindscape. An aura of pure malice, of vicious intent, the craving, no the need to murder everything in sight washed over the young shinobi, more intense with each step the Shade took. Finally, Viscrag stopped a mere two inches from Naruto. By this point, Naruto was experiencing tremors from the aura that the shade was producing.

Viscrag jerks his head forward a centimeter and says "Boo!"

In an instant, Naruto darts back, and shoves a hand into his kunai pouch. He flicks his eyes up to make sure the fox won't interfere, and looks back at Viscrag. His eyes widen when he sees that the Shade is gone. His eyes sweep the room, yet the water is still, the seal calm. He slips his hand from his pouch and freezes.

"You know, you are very tense, boy. Almost as if you were scared… Are you scared of me Naruto-chan?" Viscrag whispered in Naruto's ear, his arm casually draped over his shoulder. Viscrag lightly tapped the lower spine of the young shinobi. "Good… you should be."

Naruto shivered in disgust with every word, as the Shade's hot putrid breath breezed by his face. He gathered his courage and blurted "How the hell are you out?!"

"Out? By out I assume you mean free? Oh boy… boy boy, I'm not free. Otherwise you wouldn't be you and I wouldn't be me. No, little Shinobi, I'm not free. But I will be. The little ball and chain that keeps me here," he punctuates this comment by tapping Naruto's skull,"Will fail. Slowly, it crumbles even now. Soon… Soon Viscrag will be free to roam." A high chuckle follows the statement.

"Shade, your three minutes are up. Leave." A deep throaty voice echoed in the chamber.

"Fine, Kyuubi-sama. I'll let you speak to the boy now. Naruto-chan, I'll be watching. We are always watching…" His laughter slowly faded away as he walked deeper into the mindscape.

"Kyuubi! What is going on here?!" Naruto demanded of the Nine Tailed Fox.

"Shut up, listen, and listen well. Shades are some of the most fucked up things to ever exist. Via recent events, I have bought you some time. I don't know how long until the seal will deteriorate enough for him to take control of you, and through you, me. I'm working on checking it." The Kyuubi began.

"Why should I trust you?! I'm hated because people can't tell that I'm not you! You live inside me for free I might add!" Naruto screamed out his frustrations at the fox. He spoke of everything that the fox caused, from his orphaning, to his childhood, to every hardship. Yet not once, did he ever blame the Kyuubi. Finally, the Fox interrupted. "You talk a lot, yet say little. You will trust me because I am the known. That thing is not known at all. You have only two chances. One, you get strong enough to kill it in your own mindscape, where it is arguably invincible. Or two, you resist enough to gain respect. Either way, as you are, you will be rolled up, crushed like a grape, and thrown to the side nearly as fast as if I would attack!"

"He is nearly as strong as you?!" Naruto was amazed, how can anything be as strong as the Kyuubi?

"No, he is more efficient with his strength. One on one, I will crush him, every single time. However, compared to you, the effect would be the same. Now, stop talking, and pay attention. Gain strength, as fast as possible. If we are to survive, you must be able to hold him off. You have great will kid, USE it. Use everything. Tear your body to pieces, don't worry, I'll put it back together. Learn everything you can. As per our deal, he cannot learn what you do from the time he exited the cage onward. So, learn everything. Become strong, or I will do what I must to survive. Even if it means eradicating you." The giant fox turned, and walked deeper into his cage leaving a flabbergasted shinobi behind.

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Danzo slashed left and right with his arm while ordering his two companions to attack. The left masked Root agent darted forward, his tanto raised in a stabbing form. The right back flipped over an Eddie Scythe from Danzo as he flipped through several handsigns. As soon as the masked shinobi was facing Saud, he spat flames toward the shade.

Saud ducked the Wind Jutsu, and grabbed the tanto before it could pierce his heart. He grabbed the wrist of the tanto-wielding Root agent, and threw him into the fireball's path. He laughed as he took a deep inhale of the scent of charred flesh. "Mmm, the best smell in the morning. Come Danzo, give me more entertainment!" As soon as the last syllable left his lips, he blasted forward. He reached out with a single hand for the mask of the final Root shinobi. Just as his fingertips grazed the smooth percaline, he was blasted in the stomach. The impact shot Saud back from the masked agent, and forced him into a crouch to slow his momentum. He looked down at his shirt. "You learned a new trick Danzo. Too bad. You ruined my favorite shirt!"

Saud went through two handsigns, bird and tiger. "Water style, Stream wave!" From his mouth, Saud blasted a stream of water. Danzo whipped his left arm around in an attempt to cut the technique in half. When it became apparent that the water technique would blast through the Eddie Scythe the masked agent jumped infront of Danzo.

The eldest person in the cave winced as he heard the cracking laugh in response to the piercing scream of his last agent.

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Naruto slowly opened his eyes. 'Why was the fox helping me? It's not like I ever did anything for it. I don't understand. But the shade is out of the cage, but not free yet. I could still fight. I could still-'

"Naruto! Report!" Kakashi's voice interrupted the internal peptalk that Naruto was having.

"Sorry Sensei. We have a problem. It isn't free. But it is working on becoming free. The second roommate is trying to suppress the issue. And, the second roommate offered help… What do I do Kakashi-sensei?" A single tear rolled down Naruto's cheek.

Kakashi looked at his young genin. Here was a young kid, not a shinobi. Here was a kid who if he didn't do absolutely everything right, he would die, and kill everyone who mattered to him. A burden that Kakashi could not understand, but he didn't need to understand.

"Kid, we are gonna train your ass off. We are going to make sure that if it comes down to it, you are strong enough to suppress it." He smiled as he saw the steel like determination creep into Naruto's eyes.

"We have no clue what it is, but we got your back Naruto!" Sakura smiled at him, as Sai attempted to mimic the gesture.

"Thanks guys… Let's go, we have a mission to complete!" Naruto made a single handsign, as another of him popped into existence. "Carry Tazuna!"

The team strode forward into the clutches of the war torn country.

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Danzo ducked to the left as the tree that was just at his back a few moments ago exploded into shrapnel. He swiftly moved away from the cave. 'this is a bust. Saud is much too dangerous to go against alone. I still learned a lot however. A water type. Makes sense now that I think about it.' A blast of water nailed him in the back as he jumped toward a low branch. With a poof of smoke, a log took his place just as Saud landed in the clearing.

"Come out come out where ever you are… there!" A blast of water slams into a tree branch nearly forty feet away. A dark blur races from the branch as it falls, heading toward the Leaf village.

"Oh a pity… At least I got a souvenir." Saud eyes the arm he clutches in his right hand. "Though, the craters sure are ugly. Eh, it's too ugly for my wall." With that, Saud tosses the arm away, and strolls toward his cave home.

"Come back again Danzo! It was fun tearing you a new one!" His laugh echoed back to the old man who was clutching the stump of his left shoulder as he ran toward his home.

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Fugaku sat in his office twiddling with a blank scroll. He was lost in thought about the case he currently was facing. For the first time in years, there was a serial killer. A serial killer good enough to kill six Uchiha. A serial killer who stole eleven Uchiha eyes. Sharingan were missing and Fugaku had no leads to the killers. A knock interrupted his musings, and he looked up.

"Yes?"

"Sir we have the Hokage's Grandson. He was painting the western wall of the Uchiha district. Again." The officer who opened the door, spoke with a small amount of irritation.

"Fine, I'll see him. " Fugaku sighed, he didn't have time for this brat's attacks. Taking valuable man power to clear up the mess, and catch the kid. He strode deeper into the Police station before stopping at a solid door. He turned the knob, and opened it only to duck the wooden chair that flew at him.

"Stop that right now Konohamaru! Do not make me formally arrest you!" Konohamaru froze at the fierce glare of the Clan Head.

"Now, tell me exactly why you are desecrating private property, and explain me why I shouldn't tell Hokage-sama." Fugaku commanded as he entered the room.

"You took him away!" Konohamaru yelled.

"What are you talking about child?" Fugaku asked. Surely, Konohamaru didn't have any friends with the victims… right?

"He is not a bargaining chip that you can use for your stupid politics! Why did you have to take him from us!?" Tears started running down his face as he screamed those words into the Clan Head's face.

"Who are you talking about?!" Fugaku finally yelled back.

"Naruto, you dolt!"

Fugaku froze. Everything the kid was doing was a cry for attention. He just didn't understand the actions of Fagaku, Naruto, and the Hokage. The childish innocence behind the actions made the Uchiha laugh aloud.

When the laughter finally eased, Fugaku looked with softer eyes at the crying child. "Child, I adopted Naruto because he needed it. He could not be a shinobi without my clan's backing."

"Gramps could have backed him!"

"No child, he couldn't. He was considered bias, and due to Naruto's special circumstances, couldn't do anything to help him."

"So you don't love him! Not like we do! He is ours!" Konahamaru ran forward and started hitting the knees of the clan head, crying all the while.

"oh child.." Fugaku wrapped his arms around the now sobbing child. "You think you are losing your family? Child no, you are gaining more family. Naruto will always be my ward, but he will also always be your brother in all but blood."

"Really?" Konohamaru looked up with his tear-stained face. "Promise?"

"I swear. Now, we aren't going to make these messes again are we?" Fugaku gently scolded him.

"No, I won't. I'm sorry."

"Good, now you are going to clean it up, before we go to grab some barbeque." Fugaku smiled at the young boy.

"Yes sir!"

"Come on, lets grab some cleaning supplies." Fugaku lead the child out of the room, all while thinking. 'Naruto, you build strong connections. Just like the Uchiha.'

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Saud laid in his stolen bed, lounging after his successful run in with Danzo. "Ah, it's good to be free. It's good to be m-ow." Saud clutches his head as he shoots up. Slowly he pulls his hand away, taking with it some of his hair. "No...NO…NOO… Not right now!" He runs to the portion of the cave that serves as his bathroom. He looks in a lavish mirror he stole years go, and sighs in relief as he sees his maroon eyes. He lets the hair fall, to never be seen again against the dirt.

He winces yet again, his eyes bleeding into a new yet just as dangerous color.

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Fugaku smiled at the young man infront of him. He watched as Konohamaru ate several pieces of barbequed meat, and some vegetables that Fugaku insisted on him having. Mitoto would have his skin if he didn't insist on a child having vegetables with every meal. She was right of course, like every argument they had.

"Hey Uchiha-sama! Thanks for the meal!" The young lad spoke with a large grin.

"No need for the formality child. Just do one thing for me. Tell me about Naruto." Fugaku smiled widely at the excitement that threatened to take over Konohamaru's face.

"Naruto's the best! He is the boss! He makes sure to treat me just like I was anyone else in the family. It doesn't matter that I'm the honorable grandson to him, 'cause Gramps is his too! He says that only way to get strong is via hard work! That any other way is a lie and shouldn't be trusted. He taught me to hold a shuriken too! He is also funny!" He gushed his feelings in a way that only a child could.

"Have you ever seen him get angry?" Fugaku asked.

"Hmmm, once, and it was scary, but he calmed right down as soon as he knew I was there! I think Gramps and him got in a fight though, 'cause they aren't talking anymore." Konohamaru looked down at the table as he said the final portion of his statement.

'He doesn't treat me the same since that day…' Fugaku remembered the Third's words, and continued the line of thought. 'You didn't want to risk Konohamaru being upset because the Third kept something from you, and told you that he would have to kill you in the worst scenario…Just like an Uchiha…' "He sounds like a fabulous young man." Fugaku prepared to leave the money for the bill. "We should go Konohamaru, your mother must be worried sick over you."

"Nah, she shouldn't-" Konohamaru began.

"Yes she will be, the academy let out thirty minutes ago." Fugaku smirked at the panic that was etched across Konohamaru's face.

"You said you wouldn't tell anyone if I promised not to do it again!" Konohamaru pointed at the Uchiha clan-head.

"No, I said I wouldn't tell Hokage-sama. I didn't say I wouldn't tell your mother. Now come." Fugaku grabbed the young boy's hand and started to pull him toward the Sarutobi Compound.

"Please don't! Fugaku! Please! Just tell Gramps! Anyone but Mom!" The young man's cries made no difference to the Uchiha.

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A short man in a black suit sat in a gilded throne. He read a book as he hummed a tune. He glanced up as a blur appeared in front of him.

The man stood at 5 foot 9 inches tall, and was covered by a black cloak. His face was covered by a smiling mask with slits instead of eyes.

"The bridge builder has returned. He travels with shinobi of the Leaf." The toneless voice of the guest pierced the silence.

"Good job. As soon as the bridge is finished, kill the builder. If we hold the bridge, we can easily control land trade as well as the shipping. All while not having to worry about the Konoha ninja at all."

"And the continued raids from the villagers on the tax houses?" came the reply.

"Send more thugs. Who cares? It's not like it makes a difference. They'll starve eventually." Gato waved his hand in dismissal.

"Yes sir." The hooded shinobi turned to leave.

"Oh and Huun?"

"Yes?"

"Do ensure that the builder's daughter is brought to me. I hear she is marvelous." Gato sneered.

The shinobi left without a word, his left hand curling around a handle on his leg. 'This mission better end soon. Otherwise, I'm going to kill that little pest'

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Once the shinobi entered Tazuna's home, they were quickly feed, watered and shown their rooms by a very polite, if irritated Tsunami. The source of her irritation seemed to be her son, who upon seeing the shinobi proclaimed "Y'all gonna die!"

Now team seven sat in their sensei's room, as he looked at a map that Tazuna kindly provided of the town.

"Sensei, did you see the children here? They are so… thin." Sakura sadly recalled from the five-minute walk through the village.

"I am more concerned of the lack of thugs." Naruto spoke up from his perch on the window sill.

"Oh, do continue Naruto." Kakashi encouraged.

"Tazuna made it sound like a civil war was going on when in the boat. Why is there not more presence in the largest town in the country then? Also, I had the feeling that as soon as we entered the village, we were being watched. Then it disappeared." Naruto stared out at the moon as it rose in the sky.

"I felt that too, sensei. I thought maybe it was a child being a little too interested." Sai looked up from his sketch book.

"We were watched the entire time by the street kids Sai. It wasn't a kid."Naruto countered.

"How do you know that we were being watched by street kids Naruto?" Sakura asked.

"I felt them. It's hard to explain. Jiji says I don't sense chakra, but I sense something else. Something that not even he understands. But ever since my…episode, it is so much…stronger." Naruto spoke as if from a distance, remembering a portion of his last talk with the Hokage.

Flashback

"There are benefits of course Naruto-kun." The old man puffed his pipe as he stared at his surrogate grandson.

The young blonde sat in the chair in front of the desk, with a slumped posture. If one would walk in, they would immediately say that Naruto was shattered emotionally. The blue eyes that the Sandaime treasured as being the same color as the sea, deepened into a blue, seemingly screaming in sadness. It even appeared that the whisker shaped birthmarks on his cheeks drooped.

"What could they be?" The monotone voice of the young man pierced the air.

"Extreme amounts of chakra, speed, power, and strength increase. From what we have found, you have a sensing ability that does not rely on sensing chakra, as you are able to easily find those who have their chakra sealed to tail you, an extreme healing factor that is borderline regeneration, and we suspect that from the Kyuubi, you could have a fire affinity." The list was read off from memory as if it was reported yesterday.

"How long?" the monotone voice broke with a slight amount of anger.

"How long what Naruto-kun?" Hiruzen asked.

"How long until I do something to upset someone that has the authority to kill me? How long until it becomes common knowledge that I hold not one, but two things that could destroy this village?! HOW LONG UNTIL I WILL BE ALONE AGAIN?!" Naruto's voice rose with every word, until he was screaming the last sentence in the Sandaime's face.

The Sandaime stood from his chair and walked around the desk. He knelt before the chair in Naruto sat on. "Never. The only one that has the authority to kill you is me. I will only do that if that thing as completely erased you and there is no other choice to protect the village. You are now a ward of the Uchiha clan. You have the biggest family in the village. You will never be alone again Naruto…" He pulled the boy into a hug, and frowned at the wall as it wasn't returned.

FLASHBACK OVER

"Jiji doesn't know what causes it, but I suspect it is a Shade related ability. Either way, it's useful. Someone is outside Kakashi-sensei." Naruto looked from the window as a cloud passed over the moon.

Author Note

Beta'd by Gaki