Disclaimer: See Prologue
Author's Note: See Profile for response to reviews…
"ABC" - Spoken
ABC - Thought
'ABC' -Bijū Spoken
'ABC' - Bijū Thought
ABC – Book Excerpts
&&&& - Scene Change
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Stranger Than Fiction
Chapter One: KNC
Konohagakure, the Village Hidden amongst the Leaves, or Konoha for short, located within the Land of Fire is the main stage for our story. It is here within the Hidden Leaf Village that our story found its genesis and it is here that it will find its end.
High above the village the stone faces of leaders gone by look down upon their village, Hokages, one and all, they were the founders and protectors of this place over the 60 odd years since its inception.
One after another great men stepped forth to accept the title of Hokage and do everything within their power to protect and lead the people to the best of their ability. From the Shodaime (First) who founded the village to the Yondaime (Fourth) quite possibly the greatest ninja the village ever produced they all gave of themselves selflessly for the betterment of their home.
And, today is no exception as the current Hokage, the Godaime (Fifth), does the same. But, there is one difference between the current and its predecessors, as one can quickly attain by glancing up upon the Hokage Monument resting high above the village, this being its gender.
Being the first female Hokage, Tsunade represents the epitome of what it is to be a kunoichi (female ninja), beautiful, graceful, intelligent, and deadly. She is what every young girl in the academy should strive to be. But, as with all great leaders, there are moments where one is reminded of just how like everybody else they truly are…
"Tsunade… Tsunade… Tsunade-SAMA!"
Tsunade, the Godaime Hokage, shoots straight up right having just been stirred awake by her assistant and apprentice Shizune. Having fallen asleep at her desk while filling out some of the endless paperwork that has become the bane of her existence since accepting the role of Hokage; she's more than a little surprised to find a smiling Shizune and a smirking Anko Mitarashi standing before her.
"Wha… What is it?" she asks sounding half asleep.
"Um, Tsunade-sama… your face." Shizune says, shaking her head.
Reaching up, Tsunade pulls off the small memo stuck to her cheek and wipes away the traces of drool from both.
"Sorry to interrupt your nap… but, I got something for ya." Anko states, a jovial smile slapped upon her lips as her tone gives away her amusement at the sight of the most powerful woman in Konoha drooling on herself.
Scowling slightly, Tsunade is shocked when Anko drops a huge package on her desk. Looking to the Tokubetsu Jounin for an explanation, she receives a cocky smile in return.
"A fellow Konoha-nin asked me to deliver this. I ran into him while returning from my mission never seen him before but he was more than convincing…" Anko explains her voice dripping with innuendo.
Tsunade looks up while shaking her head at Anko's antics with a smile, "Okay… well, I take your mission was a success. So, go home, take a shower, and have a good nights rest… you've earned it."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama, I'll do just that." Anko replies, bowing slightly before turning to leave. Reaching the door, she stops and looks back saying, "Tsunade, don't put that package to the side… I'd recommend you open it, ASAP."
Both Tsunade and Shizune look to Anko for further explanation but she's already gone. Shizune looks to the package sitting on the desk, asking, "So, are you going to open it?"
Tsunade looks the thing over and sighs, "Might as well, it'll beat doing more paperwork…" Seeing the look of annoyance on Shizune's face, Tsunade quickly recants, saying, "I mean… it must be something of great importance. Sadly, the paperwork will have to wait."
"Yeah, whatever, I'll be outside… don't forget I need those papers signed in the morning."
"Of course not, have I ever…" Tsunade stops short as Shizune looks at her with a gaze that screams 'I'm serious!' to which she nods as her assistant exits the room.
Eyeing the package suspiciously, she picks it up, carefully opening it. Shifting its contents onto her desk, Tsunade's surprised when a tightly bound manuscript and an envelope fall out.
The envelope is bare except for her name written neatly across its front. Opening it, she begins reading the neatly written correspondence held within.
Hokage-sama,
You don't know me, as I am nothing but yet another faceless Shinobi in your service. I am currently on extended assignment outside the village and am in need of a bit of your time and possibly your assistance.
Before you rests the fruits of a year and a half of toil and is something I'm quite proud of. I humbly request that you read it and if you deem it enjoyable and of significant quality that you find a publisher in Konoha to release it for all to read.
I seek no monetary gain, only for my words to reach the masses, but if such a thing is offered, please put it aside for me until such a time that I am able to collect it.
Of course, I want you to have a share as you are the one I hope will assist me in this endeavor. By now, you're probably wondering who I am and as much as I'd love to reveal that piece of information, I unfortunately can not.
Please forgive me on that point. And, since I can't possibly leave you without something to call me, you may refer to me as 9-T.
Humbly, 9-T
Looking to the large manuscript before her, she reads the cover page and smiles… Untitled by 9-T
Opening to the first page she begins to read…
I guess I should start from the beginning… It'll help make what's to come easier to understand or maybe it won't either way… What I'm about to say, you need to hear and accept as fact…
Demons are real and they walk amongst us…
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And, as I lay here and my life's essence pouring out of me I look to the heavens, the sky dark and mournful, as the rain washes away any regret I may contain… at least almost.
I had made a promise, a promise I intend to keep, yet with my vision blurring and my body becoming numb. I know that it may not be possible and a part of me accepts that…
But, another part, a selfish part, cries out in anguish for I will never return to them. Me, a mere mortal, a tainted vessel, has been blessed to walk with those who are gods and goddesses amongst men, lucky to have fought and fellowshipped with angels and demons, and fortunate enough to have loved.
And, loved them I did, each and every one of them, for they are my blood, my skulk, my family - my precious people.
So, with my breath stilling and my vision gone. My thoughts turn to the ones who hold a special place in my heart. One larger than they'll ever know…
My brothers are many but at this moment three in particular come to mind. Three who are most like me, three who I will miss the most…
The Mirror, one who is like me in so many ways, one who I promised never to leave alone again…
The Gemini, one who sought purpose in the acceptance of others as I did, one by whose example I promised to live by…
The Avenger, one who knows the pain of loneliness as I do, one who I promised to accept for who he is not what, and one who I forgive…
My sisters are many but I use that term under direst. Fearing what my true feelings may incur, fearing both rejection and acceptance, for one as I such feelings can be hazardous to both parties.
And, yet, three individuals emerge to the forefront of my thoughts. Seeing them in my mind's eye brings me peace in what maybe my final moments…
My Cherry Blossom… the one I promised to never fail, to always protect, and always love…
My Himes… the ones who brought light into my darkened existence, whether they were aware of it or not, the ones I promised to love, even though I was beneath them, two so alike yet so different… I love you both…
Forgive me, my mothers and fathers, my brothers and sisters, my loved ones, my precious people, for I have failed…
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Reading the last line of the story again, Tsunade can't help but weep as the sorrow, the regret, contained within those final passages are unlike any pain she's ever felt.
"My God, Naruto, is this really how you see the world…?"
Composing herself, she puts the tome aside and rises from her seat. Turning around, she looks out the window upon her village and is shocked to see the rising sun peaking out from the horizon.
How long have I been… that boy… even when he's gone… giving me headaches…?
Sighing softly, she reads the cover page and smiles sadly…
9-T… nine tails, huh… as good an alias, I guess…? I'll get this thing published, all right. They all need to hear your story… embrace your tale… they need to see you the way you see them… as someone who is precious…
Returning to her spot behind her desk, she begins formulating a course of action. Her goal is to get as many people to read this story as humanly possible.
Five minutes turn to ten, ten to twenty, twenty to thirty, thirty to an hour… it's then that Shizune makes her presence known. Fog horn in hand, she's more than surprised to find an alert and pensive Hokage glaring at her with raised eyebrow.
Following her line of sight, Shizune hides the horn behind her back and smiles sheepishly until Tsunade looks back to the bundle on her desk. Shizune's surprised to see a fire in her eyes unlike anything she's seen since before Naruto left with Jiraiya, despite how she continues to gaze impassively upon the object of her scrutiny.
"Tsunade-sama…"
"Shizune, I want you to get the publisher and editor of 'Icha Icha (Make Out) Paradise' in here, now."
"I know you hate Jiraiya-sama's work but that's not enough of a reason to ban it…" Shizune states reluctantly.
"Huh… what? No, I want them to publish something for me… what?" Tsunade asks, in response to Shizune's incredulous stare.
"Did you say publish… for you?"
"Yeah, for me, so what…?"
"No offense, but the last time you showed me some of your writing it left… um, quite the distinct impression."
"What are you trying to say…?" Tsunade asks the slightest hint of amusement or is that annoyance in her tone.
"I don't think the world's ready for a yaoi edition of Icha yet."
"Hmm… well, first, I think you're wrong and, second, it's not my writings it's his…" she replies, handing her apprentice the letter.
"9-T… who's that…?"
"Someone… we don't know nearly as well as we thought…"
Shizune can sense the sadness in her words, but before she could ask for an explanation, Tsunade continues, "I want you to read a specific passage but first contact those Icha people."
"All right, I'm on it."
Watching Shizune vanish from the room, Tsunade reads over that final line once more…
Forgive me, my mothers and fathers, my brothers and sisters, my loved ones, my precious people, for I have failed…
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
We had searched for hours without success, only to stumble upon them in pure happenstance. Two women, two angels, sat across from us but that was most definitely not my first impression.
The mistress was beautiful beyond description. She processed an air about her that one could not ignore; even if she was stink-faced drunk. Strong, confident, and deadly… she was all this and more. Not that I cared or really noticed at that moment.
The attendant was the antithesis to her mistress. Plain and unassuming, yet one could not help to see the beauty she processed. Her beauty was a natural one that her master could only hope to attain. Yet, it was hidden under a meek disposition that frankly I didn't buy for a second. Not that I saw through it at that moment either.
They were a sight to behold, two women, two angels, who would come to hold a special place in my heart... They are my Okaasan and Neechan…
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Shizune could only blink her eyes in an attempt to hold back the tears that threatened to spring forth. Never in her life had anyone managed to make her feel so loved, so special, that she had no idea how to respond. She looks to her mistress, who simply smiles and nods.
"He wrote this… how… when… why…?"
She was truly at a lost for words, Shizune always knew there was more to her otouto than he let on but this was simply too much.
"I don't know why, but as the letter said he wrote it over the past year and a half, as for how… I'd figure with a pen."
Shizune stares with amused eyes at Tsunade's lame excuse for humor. Seeing her look, Tsunade shrugs, laughs, and says, "Hey, it's early… I'm tired."
That causes Shizune to laugh out loud, as there's a knock at the door.
"Enter."
"Hokage-sama, the members of ROD publishing have arrived."
"Fine, send them in…" Tsunade replies, turning to Shizune, she whispers, "Stick around, I don't want to be left alone with these perv…"
She freezes mid-sentence as two women enter the room, one a tall, boyish young woman maybe eighteen to twenty years of age, the other a bespectacled woman of average height and above average assets appearing to be in her late twenties-early thirties. To say that the two women already present are shocked would be an understatement.
"You-you're from ROD publishing…?" The Hokage asks, sounding as shocked as she looks.
"Correct, my name is Yumiko and this is my partner Maggie… um, it's an honor to meet you, Hokage-sama." the glasses wearing woman answers, bowing respectfully despite her obvious nervousness.
"Hi…" Maggie says blushing as everyone's gaze settles upon her. She fidgets slightly in place something that reminds Tsunade of a certain Hyuga.
"Um, fine… well, ladies, I called you here for an important reason…" Tsunade begins to explain before being cut off but a nervous Yumiko, "I'm sorry if Ero-chan has offended you but please don't shut us down or Icha… We…"
"Ero-chan…?" Tsunade and Shizune ask simultaneously.
"Oh, that's what we call Jiraiya around the office… it's kind of his codename." Yumiko explains, blushing slightly at the endearing yet perverse name.
"Anyway, that's not why you're here. What if I told you I had the next Icha sitting on my desk?" Tsunade asks sounding quiet pleased.
"Um, I'd say that a Yaoi version of…" Yumiko tries to explain before being cut of by the boisterous voice of the Hokage, "YOU'RE WRONG… Um, excuse me, I mean the next big hit that everyone can enjoy, men and women, young and old, a blockbuster of Icha proportions."
"I'd say I think you're correct." Yumiko nodding enthusiastically states.
"Uh huh, this is good… rough but good." agrees Maggie.
"Hey, when did…" Tsunade asks, shocked to notice that the duo is sitting on her couch huddled together reading 9-T's manuscript. Shaking her head she smiles, saying, "Well, take your time and tell me what you…" Before she can say any further she's cutoff by Yumiko, who mumbles, "Yeah, sure, talk later… reading."
Tsunade and Shizune smile at this, they take it as a good sign that they're that engrossed by the story. Little do they know that they were in the presence of two world class bibliomaniacs, who will only acknowledge to the quality or lack there of something until having read something cover to cover; meaning they'll be engrossed by just about anything.
"Kyu… I like him…?" Maggie states to no one in particular.
Tsunade smiles at them, as she waves Shizune out mouthing to her, "It'll be awhile."
Shizune nods and heads to leave glancing back at the odd women, smiling, she thinks, Naruto-kun, I think you've gained your first fans…
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
A vessel…
One who was created to serve a purpose of immense importance, to bear an unspeakable burden, a power of unfathomable origin, and destined to be remembered as a hero for doing so.
Or, at least, that's how it was supposed to be… a vessel is really a damnation, a horrible mistake, a tainted shell, a monster, a demon… locked within the vessel is something that will forever haunt them until the day they die… alone, hated, and feared…
But, that will not be my fate… No, I shall rise above this tragic fate. I will shape my own destiny, as fate is only something we blame for our lot in life… and I won't do that and can't do that.
I wasn't always this strong, this mature, but once I came to understand the way of things I put a plan into action…
I would become a ninja of great strength, my village's greatest warrior, earning the respect of those who hate and fear me. I would become a man worthy of trust, of friendship, of loyalty, of love…
And, so I adopted a mask… a mask of joy, of innocence, of ignorance. No one would fear a fool and everyone loves a clown…or so I thought. But, I was soon proved wrong as the mask only seemed to add to my scorn…
I'm all those things by nature, but they're not all I am… no one could see 'underneath the underneath'… at least, not until those days. The days where I met them… the moments that would change the course of my existence…
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Tsunade hears sobbing and looks up from her paperwork to see Yumiko consoling a tear-streaked Maggie, "Its okay… I'm sure Kyu's gonna be fine in the end… those sisters and their father seem to be nice…"
"I-I know but his dreams are so sad…" Maggie replies, saying the most Tsunade has heard from the tall woman all day.
So they've reached the nightmare… Naruto…
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I've had the same dream ever since I was little… well; I guess dream isn't the correct term…
I'm surrounded by shadowy figures that all look upon me with such disdain. They're faceless yet I know the look they're giving me all too well. I run crying… something I've sworn never to do again yet the tears stream down my face without end and suddenly they're faceless no more.
It's them, all of them, the villagers, ninja and civilian alike, they begin to close in around me their stones and rotten fruit at the ready, some have clubs, others torches…
I scream for help. Then, there's a flash of light and I'm alone again but only for a moment as they appear… one by one, men and women, boys and girls, gods and goddess, all… my friends, my family, my precious people… they were once faceless as well before I had such things, but now so many friendly faces.
I start running to them and in the middle I see them… My Blossom, my Brothers, my Himes… I'm just about to reach them when I freeze; their smiling, loving faces contort into ones of absolute terror.
I reach out to them, to ask what's wrong and then I hear it, the screams and shouts…
Stay back, you… vessel…
You're tainted…
You're evil…
A monster…
A demon…
Just go…
Just go and die…
And, then it happens… I lose it… the rejection… the hate… the looks of utter fear and disgust…it's all too much… not them… anyone but them.
And, then I'm numb… moving so quickly, so efficiently… there's no pain… there's no guilt… there's no loneliness… that'll come later, it always does.
I stand there my body disfigured… broken… the vessel has shattered and I've done a horrible thing… the blood… so much blood.
They're dead, every last one of my precious people…. I'm covered in their blood and shredded flesh, so I scream as they come at last… the pain, the guilt, the loneliness, and then I hear them weakly calling out my name.
I yell out franticly searching threw the piles of bodies when finally I find them… they're breathing heavily and I begin to weep… they appear unharmed… when suddenly the youngest voices a question,
"Why…?"
I look to her, wordless, trying to speak to her yet I have no answer but it matters not for they're all right. I ask them to look at me, so that I may gaze into those milky white pools of lavender that sooth my soul so.
They do as I ask and I scream as my blood red orbs look into the nothingness of their hollowed, bleeding eye sockets.
"How could you do this… why?" the oldest girl asks.
Again, I have no answer… no answer I could speak aloud and so I continue to scream my howls turning to sobs… for in truth I have an answer… for its quiet simple…
"I am a vessel… a monster… a demon."
I always awaken after those words as tears leave my eyes and I cry… something I've sworn never to do again… yet, I do almost constantly but only when I'm alone - which is always.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Yumiko and Maggie are both weeping as they read the final passage before putting the manuscript aside. Silence fills the room as they finally get their emotions in check, while they all reflect upon the overwhelming emotions contained within those pages.
"How much…" it's Yumiko who finally breaks the silence, capturing everyone's attention.
"How much what…?" asks Tsunade.
"How much for the rights to this book… the village… no, the world… must read it. They must experience it… we'll do anything…" Yumiko declares rising to her feet and pointing out the window in dramatic fashion.
"Yeah, anything…" Maggie adds.
Tsunade laughs happily before firmly stating, "It's free… now, lets begin talking about our next step… I want it polished and released as soon as possible."
"Um, okay, but it doesn't have a title?" Yumiko replies, her shock as to how quickly this is all happening clearly displayed upon her features.
"Don't worry… I already have one in mind." Tsunade states, a playful smirk on her lips.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Having stopped at a small village to gather supplies, Naruto is surprised when Jiraiya suddenly stops short as their exiting a small trade shop.
"Hey, Ero-sennin… what's the hold up?" Naruto shouts, trying to get the attention of his perverted sensei, after bumping into him.
"How… how could they… those traitors." Jiraiya mumbles to himself holding something in his hands.
Looking over Jiraiya's shoulder, Naruto is shocked by what he sees. Snatching it out of his hands, Naruto looks the object over with immense fascination.
Jiraiya snaps out of his rut at his student's odd behavior, shrugging it off, he walks off leaving an unaware Naruto gawking at the item in his hands. Reading the cover, he smiles as an immense sense of pride swells over him.
From the people who brought you Icha Icha Paradise… 3million copies sold… with foreword by The Godaime Hokage… 6 weeks atop the Konoha Bestsellers list… The Kyu Ninja Chronicles.
Naruto runs his hands over the cover once more as a content smile graces his lips. Opening the book, he goes to read the foreword when an angry sounding voice rings out in the distance.
"Naruto, get you're ass over here before I kill this fucking pervert!"
Looking over his shoulder at where his traveling companions are struggling to console a weeping Jiraiya, Naruto smiles sheepishly as he runs over to join them.
"Sorry… what's his problem anyway?"
"I have no idea… he keeps hollering about traitors and upstart novelists challenging the king… or some shit like that."
Naruto can only laugh, as he tightens his grip around the novel in his hands. Letting himself slip to the back of the group, as they start off again, he looks the cover over again before placing the book in his pack.
Running to catch up with his friends, he lets his thoughts wander to a certain angel and smiles deeply, thinking, Thank you, Baa-chan.
Looking his students over, Jiraiya can only smile as the two boys and one girl exchange playful banter. He looks upon his prized student, standing between the others, as a smile graces his lips.
Who'd have thought the kid had it in him… I can't help but wonder if he has any idea how much this is going to change everything.
And with that thought, Jiraiya spots a pretty young thing heading his way. But, before he can act, three large bumps sprout from his head where he's just been hit by three annoyed ninjas…
"Baka, Ero-sennin!"
Three voices shout, as one, causing said pervert to laugh as he thinks, The more things change…
To Be Continued…