AN: I sincerely apologize to any and all readers about the original second chapter. On top of writers block, and not looking back at what Coolkid and I discussed as well as my outline, I put out a piece of shit chapter not worthy of this remake. To the reviewers who kindly pointed this out as well as helpful tips, I cannot thank you enough. The same goes with Coolkid whom got my creative juices going again…this story is DEFINATLEY going in a different avenue; of that, I promise you all. Now, enough of my blabber, on to the, hopefully, better second chapter. Also, I edited some things in the first chapter as well.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor am I doing this for profitable gain. I respect the owners of both Naruto and World of Warcraft, and all rights go unto them.

ITALICS – thinking

BOLD – demon/Frostmourne speak.

Arc One: One Artifact, Many Changes

Chapter Two

Dusk had started to settle on Konoha, but not everyone had headed back to their homes to rest after a long day. For Hiruzen Sarutobi, he awaited the three people he called for not that long ago, three people he knew would be a pain to deal with. They were still friends after all the years, but the term was, sadly, used loosely. Hiruzen knew that Homura, Koharu, and Danzo were giving him advice for the betterment of the village, something which he greatly respected, but what's best for the village is sometimes not best for its inhabitants.

The Sandaime leaned back in his office chair with a sigh as he thought about the one person they would be talking about this evening. The events of which would either break the boy, or propel him to greatness.

"Naruto Uzumaki, my surrogate grandson…"

A knock was heard at the door which broke the Sandaime from his thoughts. After lighting his pipe and puffing a few times, he signaled the ANBU to let the three in.

"Koharu, Homura, Danzo, I thank you for meeting me at this hour." Hiruzen motioned to the couch in front of him. "Please, take a seat so that we may begin."

"May I ask what this meeting is about, Hiruzen?" Homura said as he and the others sat down.

"You may, but I forewarn you now that not even I have all the information." Hiruzen replied then took a puff on his pipe as he set up the security seals. "However, the Cryptanalysis Team is currently working on deciphering the documents I collected from the Hokage Library."

Danzo knew who this meeting was about thanks to his Root, but even he wondered just was being deciphered. However, upon delving into his memory, he remembered various documents that Hashirama and Tobirama collected over the years.

"The Era of Old, Hiruzen?" Danzo let out a scoff. "Please, we all know those are just stories; rumors that've spread as the years pass us by."

"Ah, but all stories are based on reality." Koharu wisely stated as the Sandaime cleared his throat.

"Perhaps we can get onto the topic this meeting was about, one Naruto Uzumaki."

"Pranking again, Hiruzen?" Homura said with a slight chuckle which ended when the Sandaime leveled him with a steely gaze.

As the office went quiet, Hiruzen explained what happened to Naruto in detail as well as what he knew already from what was deciphered before. The description of Frostmourne made everyone uneasy, everyone except Danzo that is. To the war hawk, he saw opportunity in Naruto, but to get the boy would mean playing his cards right.

"The episode in this office earlier today only proves that the boy needs conditioning, Hiruzen." Danzo stated emotionlessly.

"Which is why I've already assigned a sensei so that he can learn how to control whatever is influencing him." Hiruzen said with a hidden smirk. "In fact, I hope that his sensei will show Naruto the love he deserves."

"Love..." Koharu said with a smile as she remembered the past. "…it was the one thing Mito Uzumaki always preached about when it came to jinchuriki."

Homura nodded, "Hai, perhaps it will quell not only that which is influencing Naruto, but awaken Kyuubi as well."

"Love, please, such emotions are useless." Danzo said, still not believing the elders were siding with Hiruzen. "Do you not see the boy's unlimited potential? Do you not see that with my guidance that he will be the greatest protector Konoha has ever had!?"

"And yet we don't know all the information about Frostmourne or this Era of Old." Homura interjected harshly before the Sandaime could retort. "For all we know, you turning Naruto into a mindless drone could not only effect the way he uses Kyuubi's chakra, but also whatever he picked up in that forest!"

"The elders are correct, Danzo." Hiruzen agreed as he dumped the used tobacco from his pipe into the nearby trashcan. "I understand that you have Konoha's welfare in mind, but your decision could be disastrous to its inhabitants." The Sandaime's tone saddened. "The last thing I want is to relive what happened only six years ago."

"Fine, have your way, but remember that the Roots are what make the tree stand tall." Danzo thought with a mental smirk.

"Until we get more information, I believe monitoring Naruto is the best option we have." Homura said as he looked at Koharu. "Are you in accordance?"

"Hai, though Hiruzen has the final say in the matter." Koharu looked at the Sandaime. "What is your decree, Lord Hokage?"

"I will inform Naruto's sensei that they are to give monthly reports on his progress." Hiruzen deactivated the seals and leaned back in his chair with a smile. "You're dismissed."

Following Morning – Naruto's Apartment

After another night of nightmares, Naruto groggily got out of bed and did his morning routine before fixing himself breakfast. As he put the dishes in the sink, a knock was heard at the door and, with a smile, Naruto walked to the door and opened it up.

"Morning, Uzuki-sensei!"

"Good morning to you as well, Naruto-san." Yugao replied with a smile. "Ready for training today?"

"Yep!" Naruto nodded than remembered that he forgot one thing. "Hold on, let me get Frostmourne."

Once Naruto had his sword and his apartment door locked, Naruto and Yugao started walking not to the training ground, but towards the market.

"Um, the training ground's the other way Sensei."

"Very astute of you at such a young age, but I decided that we need to pick up a few things I forgot yesterday." Yugao said with a smile.

Naruto nodded and ignored the glares he got from some of the villagers as they walked. Although Naruto put up a good front, Yugao could see everything in his eyes; all the pain and loneliness.

Everything.

As they neared the first shop, Naruto looked at the sign on the door which said 'Higurashi's Smithy.' Naruto didn't know what a smithy was until he walked in the door with Yugao where an immense heat suddenly bombarded him. The sounds of a hammer striking metal and the bellows stoking the fire echoed in the relatively small shop. As the bell rung above the door, a young child with buns on either side of her hair looked up from the counter with a smile.

"Heya Uzuki-san, back already?"

"That I am, Tenten." She replied with a smile.

"Oh, and who's this?" Tenten said as she looked at Naruto.

Naruto, for some reason, felt no hate in this store. So, with a bow, he greeted himself.

"My name's Naruto Uzumaki, a pleasure to meet you Tenten-san."

Tenten smiled at the politeness the boy showed, but once her eyes laid on Frostmourne she was suddenly in front of Naruto.

"Oh, Oh, can you show me…please?" Tenten gave Naruto the infamous puppy-eyed stare which made him back up.

"Um…" Naruto let out a nervous laugh and looked to Yugao for guidance.

"You may show her, Naruto. And Tenten…" The girl broke out of her trance and looked at Yugao. "It's sentient, so no touchy OK?"

Tenten nodded and watched as Naruto pulled Frostmourne out of its sheath; she couldn't help but gasp at its morbid beauty. Dan Higurashi, who just came from the back room, looked upon the sword with narrowed eyes.

"No…it can't be can it?" He thought, but couldn't get a better look as Naruto had sheathed it again.

"Excuse me." Dan introduced himself which made everyone look at the tall, muscular man. "Do you need something Yugao-san?"

"Hai, do you have a bokken by chance?" Yugao replied as she motioned to Naruto. "This little squirt found a sentient and I was given the task of showing him the ropes."

"Sure do," Dan nodded and went to a nearby shelf and pulled one off then handed it to Yugao. "There you go, and don't worry about paying. Naruto has done enough for this village as is."

"Thank you Higurashi-san." Naruto bowed in thanks.

"No need to thank me, name's Dan by the way." He held out a hand which Naruto happily shook. "Before you leave, does your sword have a name perhaps?"

Naruto nodded with a smile, "Its name is Frostmourne."

"It's as I feared." Dan thought as he watched the two leave the store, but it was what Tenten said next that made his fear rise even more.

"Daddy, can I train with Naruto?" She looked at her father expectantly. "It looks like he needs a friend."

"Sure honey, though don't get too attached, OK?" Tenten nodded which made Dan smile. "Now, can you close shop my little kunai, daddy has someplace to go."

Without question, the seven year old went to the front of the store and turned the sign to "closed" and locked the front door. As she went upstairs to her room, Tenten watched her father go into his study. She knew where he was going and the secret their family held, but for the life of her, Tenten couldn't figure out why her father said what he did.

"What do you know that I don't, father?" She questioned with a frown. "Why do you have to hide these secrets from me?"

As she entered her room and changed into her training gear and gathered some supplies, Dan went to the desk in his study and opened up one of the drawers with a key he had in his pocket. There, a scroll unraveled, a scroll which he put his hand upon and muttered some strange language before disappearing in a small flash of white.

With Yugao and Naruto

Just when Naruto thought training was going to begin, Yugao told him that they were going clothes shopping. Naruto insisted on orange at first, but after some discussion, and some prodding by the Lich King, the color was out. Knowing of the civilian problem, Yugao was granted special access to one of the ANBU shops. Although it looked like an abandoned building on the outside due to a genjutsu, on the inside was a massive store filled with anything and everything an ANBU needed on a mission.

For the next thirty minutes, Naruto looked around the place and managed to pick out an outfit which made everyone in the store raise some eyebrows. Naruto now wore black ANBU pants which had a red stripe down the outer-sides, a dark blue V-neck shirt overtop some lightweight mesh armor, black fingerless gloves, and what looked to be black combat boots. To top this off, Naruto wore a light grey cloak with a hood in which the zipper on the front was open to show Frostmourne attached to his right side. As Naruto put up the hood, his eyes glowed and wisped for a brief moment, but it quickly disappeared.

"Interesting choice of clothing, Naruto." Yugao said, though she wondered how Naruto's eyes changed like that.

Naruto nodded, "Can we get to training now, 'cause I'm bored 'ttyebayo!"

The shop went silent as it had been years since they've heard that verbal tick, but soon that silence was filled with uproarious laughter. Hearing this, Naruto blushed and tried to shrink into his new clothing. Five minutes later, sensei and student walked out with a scroll filled with extra clothes which they dropped off at Naruto's apartment before heading to their training ground.

"Hey!" A voice called from behind them. "Wait up!"

"Tenten?" Naruto asked as she stopped in front of him and Yugao. "Why are you here?"

"Training." She simply replied.

At first Yugao was going to deny it, but she thought it would be best if Naruto started to grow bonds with those of his age group.

"The more the merrier I suppose." Yugao said as she placed her hands on the kid's shoulders.

With a shunshin, they were headed to the training ground.

Time Skip – One Month

Over the period of a month, not much has changed in Konoha except two individuals in particular; Tenten and Naruto. Over the month, Yugao not only taught the two kenjutsu, but also stealth, kunai throwing, and taijutsu with the help of Might Guy. Although weirded out at first, Naruto and Tenten grew to enjoy Guy-Sensei's teachings. They were harsh, yes, but the results were well worth it. Thanks to Yugao having them go to the Konoha Library to read on various topics after training, Tenten and Naruto knew that they learned more in the first month than those at the ninja academy. In fact, they even questioned Yugao about why this was which resulted in a meeting with the Hokage.

Now, a month later, the academy got a major overhaul and its curriculum was close to being wartime standards. Although the civilians, some of them at least, saw this as unfair, the Sandaime kindly reminded them that peace never lasts and that we must always be prepared. However, Naruto and Tenten's question didn't just overhaul the academy, no, Hiruzen decided to check up on the barrier surrounding Konoha as well as security and found it to be lacking. Lots of reassignments later, Konoha was starting to work like a well-oiled machine once again. However, not all was roses during this month for Naruto Uzumaki as he found that he would never be able to use ninjutsu. But, it was also on this day that something awoke from deep within him.

Flashback – 28 Days Ago

Tenten and Yugao watched with bated breath as Naruto concentrated on bringing his chakra out for the first time. When five minutes passed, they weren't worried as some people took longer than others to achieve this. By ten minutes, worry crept into their minds, but it was when twenty minutes hit that Yugao knew something was wrong.

"That's enough, Naruto!"

"Why can't I get this?" Naruto broke from his meditation with a frown, "I feel what you described Uzuki-sensei, but I can't seem to push it outward."

"I'm not sure, but I can get someone who might be able to help tell us what's wrong OK?" Yugao reassured her student with a smile, something which Naruto returned.

"Hai, thank you sensei."

As she disappeared in a shunshin, Tenten decided to sit by Naruto and, for a reason unknown, gave him a hug. For Naruto, this was something new. He tensed, his breathing became heavy and labored, and his eyes darted around for an avenue for escape. Feeling this, Tenten quickly backed off.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't." Naruto replied with a sigh. "I've never felt that type of warmth before, then again I've never had parents to show me right from wrong or how to make friends."

"I can be your friend if you want?" Tenten asked, but got no response in return.

Instead, Naruto stood up and put as much distance between them as possible.

"What made you this way?" Tenten thought sadly. "Is this why my father told me to not be too attached?"

Another two minutes passed before Yugao returned with someone, but, upon seeing the two separated, couldn't help but frown. She knew that the two could become friends, but both had different cards to play to make that happen.

"Naruto, Tenten, a minute of your time please?" Yugao ordered which caught their attention.

"Who's the blind man?" Naruto pointed at the man with flat black hair and an emotionless visage.

"It is unbecoming to point and call names, Uzumkai-san, you will do well to remember that." The man coldly said towards whom he addressed.

"This is Hiashi Hyuga, clan head of the Hyuga clan." Yugao said before Naruto could speak further. "He's the one which will help answer why you can't pull out your chakra."

Naruto nodded and got in a meditative position and held the ram sign, "I'm ready."

Hiashi activated his Byakugan and watched as the Uzumaki attempted to bring out his chakra and, to his horror, he found Naruto's main chakra network eroding. What interested him, however, was that Kyuubi's was starting to awaken. The clan head turned his eyes back to normal and looked at Yugao with a frown before setting his eyes on Naruto.

"Uzumaki-san." Hiashi called which made Naruto stop and look at the man. "I'm afraid your chakra network is eroding at a slow pace, but as to how you don't have chakra poisoning is beyond my expertise."

"Eroding!" Naruto yelled, his eyes wide as that word, whatever it meant, didn't sound good. "Sensei, what does this mean?"

"I'm sorry, Naruto." She looked at her student sadly "But, you'll never be able to use ninjutsu."

Flashback End

That moment was heartbreaking for Naruto, so much so that he ran home and locked himself in his apartment. After two days, and a lot of conversation, the combined effort of Yugao, Might Guy, Hiruzen, and Tenten finally got Naruto back to a somewhat normal state. However, it was through this experience that Naruto and Tenten started to bond and become friends.

It was now September, the academy was starting once again and Naruto was anxious to start working towards becoming a respected shinobi. As he entered the academy, the civilians gave the usual glare and occasional scoff as did some of the students, but by now Naruto knew not to pay attention to them. A minute after entering, Naruto arrived at his classroom and opened the door with a smile. However, the teacher had other plans when he saw the Uzumaki, especially the weapon strapped to his side.

"No weapons, boy!" The teacher with a scar across his nose said with contempt. "Leave it at home, or don't come into my classroom at all."

Naruto sighed and reached into his cloak to pull out a scroll which he handed to the teacher. After taking the scroll, rather harshly I might add, the teacher read it and sneered. The boy didn't deserve anything for what he did six years ago, but there was no way he was going to deny the Hokage's decree. With disdain, the teacher rolled the scroll up and shoved it in Naruto's face.

"Keep the blade sheathed, for if I ever see it brandished in this room, I will expel you for life." Naruto took the scroll and placed it in his cloak pocket. "Name's Iruka by the way, now find a seat brat!"

As Naruto went to the back of the room, all he could think of was how much these six years was going to suck. As Naruto pulled up his hood and rested his head on the desk, a sudden spell of sleepiness overtook him that couldn't be ignored. However, when he woke, he found himself in a dark corridor lit by torches.

Upon looking around, there was ankle deep water on the floor and pipes overhead, one was blue and rusty, while the other was red. Thanks to Yugao's mandatory after training library visit, Naruto understood his chakra system better and quickly deduced that the rusty pipe was his eroding network.

"Where am I?" Naruto asked himself as he started to walk down the corridor, along which were doors to certain memories.

Naruto didn't know how much time had passed, but eventually he stopped at a door that was onyx black and was covered in chains. If that wasn't bad enough, a strange blue mist occasionally escaped from underneath the door. With a shiver, Naruto quickly backed away and headed deeper into his subconscious. As he left, however, an ethereal figure formed in front of the door, a figure that Naruto met when he touched Frostmourne a month ago.

Arthas Menethil, the Lich King.

"I await the day you break these chains, my successor." A sick smirk appeared on Arthas' face before he disappeared once again.

On and on the corridor went, but time seemed irrelevant here as Naruto tried to figure out how long he has been in this place. Eventually, however, the corridor made a turn but upon going down it, it started to open up where the sound of heavy breathing took place. With hesitation, and a gulp, Naruto crept up to the sound to find what looked to be a red mass trapped behind a massive cage with some seal in the center of it. Upon moving closer, Naruto saw the mass start to shift; his eyes widening as tails started to appear.

One

Two

Three

Four…

…all the way to nine bright red tails, the sight of which made Naruto fall on his butt partly in fear and surprise.

"Is this a dream, my mind…a nightmare?" Naruto's breath hitched in his throat as the red mass turned around to show one of its massive red eyes.

The eye narrowed as it gazed upon Naruto as if to judge his character. Eventually, however, the gaze broke and Naruto bore witness to the figure's fox like head.

"And so we meet, my jailor." The beast's voice boomed in the space they were in.

"….."

"Hmm, the silent type." The beast smirked, but frowned as Naruto's form started to waver. "We will meet again, ningen, perhaps by then your vocal chords won't be choked up."

Naruto woke with a gasp and, upon lifting his head, saw that the room had filled up and an eraser was headed his way. Quickly catching it, he looked to Iruka who was glaring at him.

"Nice of you to wake up boy, now tell me, what was the answer to my last question."

Naruto didn't answer, he simply threw the eraser back which Iruka caught.

"Since your dear classmate seems to have a speech impediment…" Iruka looked at Naruto in the hopes of seeing a reaction, but got none which made him internally snarl. "…I propose that we have a pop quiz, the topic on unlocking your chakra."

Naruto's eyes narrowed upon hearing this, he knew that Iruka had read his file; all teachers did when new students came in. As the students filed out, Naruto reluctantly followed them to the academy grounds where the quiz would start. Finding a nearby tree, Naruto leaned against it as Iruka explained how one goes about unlocking their chakra, one which Naruto tuned out. Eventually, the lecture was completed and everyone got in the meditative position, all but one Naruto Uzumaki.

"Care to join the class, boy?" Iruka called to Naruto whom was getting annoyed at not being called by his first or last name.

"You know my condition, Iruka." Naruto emotionlessly responded as he turned towards the wooden dummies and went to practice his taijutsu.

"Oh yes, you're the boy with a destroyed chakra network." Iruka said with a smirk. "Such a same really, I honestly don't know why the Sandaime permitted you to join. All I see in you is failure."

Naruto's fists clenched and his eyes started to wisp that strange blue aura. As this was going on, part of a chain link broke inside his mindscape which made the Lich King grin, and Kyuubi's eyes to widen. Outside, the ground around Naruto started to frost over, and an unholy aura started to surround the field which made the kids and the teacher stop the laughing they were doing. Without warning, Naruto turned his head towards Iruka; his eyes glowing from inside the hood.

"Failure?" Naruto spoke in an eerie duel tone as he turned towards Iruka and put out his right hand.

For the class, they looked at Naruto with fear, but for Iruka it was a whole different scenario. Not only did fear encroach his mind, but images of his gruesome death played as well. Just as this aura started to disappear, and his mind started to clear, however, Iruka saw Naruto's smirk, a shadowed one at that thanks to the hood, before he heard two words being said.

"Death Coil!"

A sickly green energy with the face of the skull shot from Naruto's outstretched hands, the sight of which made the students run away in fear. Iruka, however, couldn't move as the aura hit him in full force once again. Naruto's grin widened as the attack got closer, but it quickly became a frown when someone tackled Iruka out of the way. Luckily for the academy teacher, he wasn't hit as the tree behind him had aged over a century in a matter of seconds; it was nothing but dust.

In an instant, ANBU surrounded Naruto which made his anger rise once more.

"I WILL SHOW ALL WHO THE REAL FAILURE IS!" Naruto screamed, but before he could do anything his world went black.

Yugao, who was the one to tackle Iruka, looked down at him with anger. "Do you have ANY idea what you've just done!?"

"I…I…" Iruka couldn't form anything comprehensible as he laid eyes on the tree that was hit.

"All that hard work at showing Naruto kindness and the love to keep everything at bay, and you had to go and do this!" Yugao stood up with her hand around the collar of Iruka's vest.

"What do we do with Uzumaki-san, Cat?" Boar said as he picked Naruto up bridal style.

"Take him to the Hokage's office, I will be there shortly."

Boar and the other ANBU gave a salute before they vanished. Before Yugao did the same, she looked at the dust pile and back at Iruka who was still shaking in fear. For the students, who were now all alone, took one meaning to heart.

Never poke a bear with a stick.