Authors note: WOW WE an update! Who would have suspected. Truth be told I had a long series of blocks both mental and physical that occurred though out the making of this chapter. However I THINK that the bulk of the slowness has come and gone. And considering I'm consigned to a desk for a while (violent knee injury) I have plenty of time to write. Even as this pops out chap five is under works... though you may want to read the note on the bottom about that one. Anyway enough blab I'll explain stuff at the bottom note, for now reap the reward of your patience!
Disclaimer: I own not Naruto... but perhaps one day... one day... THEN ALL SHALE SUFFER MY WRATH!
Kyuubi.
I am the Kyuubi.
I am the ender of lives.
I am the terror of millions.
I am the harbinger of destruction.
I am the Demon Fox. The Kyuubi No Kitsune.
These were the thoughts of Naruto Uzumaki as he sat near catatonic in a hospital bed. No nurse would dare harm him this time. No medic nin would 'accidentally' inject him with something poisonous. No none would even get within five feet of him. To do so would risk looking into his eyes.
His cerulean blue Silted eyes.
The claws were still there as well... not so much, just slight points to a fingernail... but hardened, and sharp. His marks had darkened as well. Teeth more pointed... countless little things littered across his body signifying the awakening of a darker heritage.
He hadn't noticed.
There was blood on his hands.
That he noticed.
He raised it to his eye level. It was dark now... crusty, every so faintly elastic. It would bend in the thicker parts, though the thinner was already flaking off. He had seen so much blood... tastes so much. Normally his own.
This was different. It was thiner then his, smelt different. Smelt good.
That is what terrified him.
A door shut.
Eyes snapped open wide and looked upwards... Sarutobi. The old man himself. Hokage.
Had he come to finish the job of his predecessor? Had he come to help?
What was this stinging in his eyes! Why was his vision so blurred! Why! Why him! Why was he a monster!
"Naruto." the voice, sympathetic... sorrowful... so much pain.
He had caused it.
Wet. Falling along his cheeks, sliding down along the marks on his face. Tears?
Imposable. He never cried.
Demon's couldn't cry.
"Naruto. It's ok." the voice again, he snapped to awareness. Looking up at the old monkey before him.
"Why?" he asked... was that his voice? It was so small. Even smaller then before.
The old maned sighed and reached out brushing away his tears "You weren't supposed to know Naruto. The Yondaime..." he seemed a loss for words for a moment.
The question came, he knew what he needed to ask. What was bothering him so. "Why... do you keep calling me that?" he needed to know, one way or another he Needed it.
A slight wind picked up, Yoki spiking with emotion. Naruto didn't notice. Others did. ANBU readied there weapons to strike, terrified.
The old man made a gesture, ordering them to back down. "What do you mean Naruto?"
"Naruto... Why do you call me that... it's a human name... I'm not human... I don't have a name." came stoic reply, almost mechanical.
Sarutobi shook his head "Naruto is your name. It was given to you when you took this form... What you were... is in the past." he said it with distinction there was a realness there... the old man believed it.
He was wrong! He had to be. Naruto shook his head "No... Look at me... I'm a monster old man! I ripped him to pieces! I really tore him to pieces! Look at my hands old man LOOK AT THEM!" he held them out and again the ANBU took stance.
Taking a deep breath the Third put his hands over the young reincarnate. "What I see... are two hands that defended a friend. I see the blood of a traitor. One who earned his end."
There was silence. "I enjoyed it." hate me. You need to see what I am, need to stop me now old man... If I can do it once.
"That... is natural. Naruto. You Are a demon. That is true, there is no point denying it." a sickly relief wormed though him at that, like the end to the stress of running from some crime. It was over. Terrible but finally over. "But." what but? That was it wasn't it? "That is not all you are. You are a citizen of this village Naruto. You are a person friend to many who live in these walls. And in every way that matters you are human. You are Uzumaki Naruto. The Kyuubi was a mindless beast, blood thirsty and uncontrolled. Naruto is a person who values the lives of others. Someone who can control themselves, and can use what ever darkness is inside him to help protect what is bright."
A glimmer of hope "r...realy?" it was week... but could the old man mean it? Could he be a person and not a beast?
The old man smiled "Yes. I have seen both Kyuubi and Naruto... there are some... traits... in similarity, but they are as different as night and day."
there was a blur and in a motion the ANBU were ready to strike, barely stopping in time as the Hokage signaled them to stop, before resting his hands around the blond form now hugging him. "It's ok Naruto it's ok."
A name.
He was Naruto Uzumaki.
He was once the Kyuubi no Kitsune... but no longer
It wasn't much. Just a name. Two pieces of kanji But it was Enough.
(the next day)
A forehead protector graced his brow, and a smile his lips. He was a Genin, a shinobi, a person.
No more then that he was a Protector.
The changes had stuck. He had shifted, started a dark evolution to awakening the inhuman blood within him.
It didn't matter.
The old man had explained everything, his nature, the seal, the changes he could expect over time as the steal gradually weekended, letting more of his past incarnation join his current one, how he could access more yoki in extreme circumstances. Even the Yondaime's desperate plan and intent. Everything.
That last one was a real blow to the head. He was supposed to be the 'judge' of Kohona? His Jury and executioner if he so chose?
Well he couldn't help but let the though though that butchering a few of them would be very satisfying... No! That was Kyuubi's way, not Naruto. Naruto protected what was precious to him, who was precious to him. The rest of the villagers could go jump of the Hokage's tower for all he cared... actually that would be kinda fun to watch. No Bad Naruto. Keep away from the dark side. Anyway they didn't mater. If they attacked, well... he could defend himself. If that meant hurting them to stop them then he would. If it meant kill or be killed... A shutter
He didn't want to kill again.
But if he died then odds are his old self wouldn't really give a fuck what his current one would want or not.
Dieing was not an option. EVER.
Right then, off to the academy. It was time to join his team. Maybe make a few new friends? Iruka and the old man knew what he was and still accepted him. He was pretty sure the Raman stand owner knew as well. And he still laughed at his jokes, and give him the occasional discount on his favorite meal. If he could make friends so much older then him (or younger depending on how you look at it) then making a few his own age should be easy. Sure he had tried before... and not done so well... but that was before he knew what was in the way. He could deal with this. He was Uzumaki Naruto, and nothing could stop him.
A shutter... right... No more claiming to be unbeatable or the like. Not going down that path.
He entered the room with a grin, it was false, but hinting at a small glimmer of hope inside. Ah there was Shikamaru, always sitting at the closest desk to the door... maybe finding a place that required more then five steps to reach was too 'troublesome?' He flashed his foxy grin
The lazy would be nin squinted "Naruto? You look different. What are you imitating Kiba or something?" he asked in his normal sleepy drawl.
The blond scowled "Like hell I would want to look like dog breath. It's just something that happened. I don't know, maybe it's a clan thing or something." Somewhat true, he was fairly sure most Kitsune had traits not unlike his own in human form... though much more defined, but that would come in time. Let's just hope no one puts two and two together before then shale we?
"Whatever..." came the predictable reply. Good old lazy Shikamaru.
He found his normal seat and looked out at the class... it was... exciting... They were hear to become real ninja! True Shinobi of the Leaf... not that he really cared about most of the Leaf. But it was that few that mattered, and he would soon be accounted among there ranks.
He felt himself growing tired... it had being a long night, altogether he had only managed two hours... less actually, any time he managed to get to sleep he was plagued by nightmares of the past. Horrors of both incarnations ripping what rest came to him apart like paper.
"Uzumaki Naruto." came a voice, he at once snapped to attention. "Haruno Sakura." he grinned Sakura was on his team! Finally, some quality time with the girl he was destined to be with! "Uchiha Sasuke." Thump! Naruto's face hit the desk like a hammer, a muffled groan coming forth. And the day was going so well.
The other teams listed off and he looked back up at his 'teammates' Sakura was as expected fawning over her crush, while said bastard was scowling. As if he was to good for them. The blond sent a scowl right back, unknown to him his eyes flashing red.
Sasuke's eyes actually widened at that. What the hell was up with the dobe? No loud reactions? His looks were all odd and he could have sworn that his eyes had become red for a moment there... not the sharingan. It might have being years since he had seen one but he'd never forget his own family dojutsu. Still it was worth looking into. If the dope had to be on his team he might as well minimize the hassle of having him around.
Sakura blinked. Why was Sasuke looking at Naruto? He should be paying attention to her, not the dead last. I mean sure he was on there team but so was she and she'd be so much more useful then the blond annoyance. Come to think of it, why hadn't he asked her out yet? The little ball of energy did every day with out fail. He hadn't even reacted to when they were put on the same team! She looked over and her eyes widened, what the hell? He looked... different. His marks were thicker... maybe he painted them on or something? And his eyes... there was something... wrong about them. Not just there shape, that had changed, but also there color... they were... darker... and there was something about them, some consuming shadow... it was like looking into the eyes of a wolf or tiger. The eyes of a predator... the eyes of a killer.
She shook her head, Naruto? A killer? Yah right. Still... he did just become a ninja, and Killing Was part of the job description. How the hell did he pass in the first place? Hell he was falling asleep right now!
Naruto remained blissfully unaware of becoming the new center of attention to his teammates. Strain from last night finally taking it's do and stealing his awareness before he realized what was going on.
Seconds turned to minutes, turned to hours. The Sensei of the other teams came and left with there new students, and still Team seven waited... well waited and snored.
Kakashi walked in and blinked, two glaring children and a sleeping demon... lovely. "My first impression... I don't like you." the glares intensified and he grinned "Wake him up and meet me on the roof." a poof and he was gone.
Sasuke twitched and got up heading for the stairs. He was in a team of idiots and losers, great. He was sure to kill Itachi at this rate.
Sakura seeing her crush leave called out "Wait! He said to bring Naruto along!" she didn't really like the blond, but still, Sensei had told them to wake up Naruto, so they should wake up Naruto.
"If he's dumb enough to fall asleep, then he'll just slow us down." came the comment
'US! He said US as in a WE!' Inner Sakura roared in triumph 'TAKE THAT PIG!' still... Sensei could become upset if they disobeyed him. Looking over at the sleeping blond she kicked him in the side. "Wake up Baka!"
Blue eyes rimmed in red flashed open, faint slits narrowing for a moment before dilating back to normal. "What was that for?" he got up rubbing his side.
"Sensei showed up! Were supposed to meet up on the roof!" she barked down at him before running off after her crush. Sasuke would forgive her for this right?
Naruto blinked, rubbed his side again, the ache already fading as he fallowed after her.
When he arrived he noticed the silver haired man, his appearance aside from screaming 'Ninja' didn't really say much. He had only one eye exposed... interesting. The scar, what little he could see of it hinted that an empty socket was likely what lay under the lopsided headband. He was on the skinny side, but that could just as easily be from the fact that the man was Tall. I mean like freakishly tall. Not inhuman, but still he had to be the tallest man he had ever met. The hair didn't help at all. Blinking the sleep out of his eyes he went over and sat by his 'teammates' in a small semi circle that was disturbingly reminiscent to a 'love in'.
The figure eye smiled "Well now. Now that were all here let's get introduced to one another. My name is Hayate Kakashi. I'm a Jonin... I have a few hobby's, My likes are not really for younger audiences to know about, my dislikes... are my own business. As are my dreams for the future. Your turn Pinky."
Sakura paused not having the time to fully comprehend what was asked of her. "I'm Haruno Sakura... Genin I guess, My hobby's." she glanced over as Sasuke "Are my own business. I dislike Ino-pig and Sleepy bakas." she shot a glare at Naruto with that one. "And my dreams of the future..." she glanced back at Sasuke blushing.
'Creepy' though Kakashi as Sasuke subtlety edged away from his now open stalker. "Ok, Gloomy next."
"I'm Sasuke Uchiha. Since no one else is Actually telling anyone anything I won't bother with the pretense. Frankly I think I'd be better off on my own." he scowled
Kakashi frowned at that, 'Great... this is turning out just great.' "Sleepy?" he asked looking over at Naruto.
The blond yawned "Names Naruto, I... liked Sakura I guess. I dislike those who attack me with out reason!" his eyes tinged red again at that. "My ambition is to see those I care for safe."
Kakashi blinked... at that. "Ok then... Well tomorrow were having a little lesson on survival. We'll meet up at training ground thirty two at eight o clock. I suggest you don't eat breakfast, if you do you'll throw up." with that and a stereotypical ninja poof of smoke he disappeared.
"Great." the blond muttered. "Well I'll see you guys tomorrow. I'm going home." finally SLEEP!
The next day.
Tap tap tap...
A eye twitched.
Tap tap tap...
A brow clenched
Tap tap tap
A fist tightened
Tap tap ta... THUMP!
"WOULD YOU CUT THAT OUT!" Roared Sakura at there blond compatriot.
"Sakura!" Naruto wined "Come on, what else am I going to do?" he had ceased taping his foot and now had entered full pouting face mode. "I mean Bakashi said he'd be here Two HOURS ago." the wining deepened.
"Arguing isn't going to solve anything." Sasuke interjected.
Sakura was about to agree when with a poof of ninja smoke Kakashi appeared. "Yo." he eye smiled "Sorry I'm so late... I got lost on the road of life."
This was the straw that broke the camels back "LIER!" came two roars along side a kunai
Kakashi sweat dropped as he caught the lethal throwing implement arm slightly jerked back from the force of the small projectile. "Er... sorry?" he stated. "Well... I guess now would be a good time to tell you whats really going on." his eye took an evil glint to it.
The students collectively gulped, though they did there best to hide it.
"This, is the Real Genin exam." he grinned. "What you did in class... was just the qualifier."
The 'genin' were collectively stunned. 'Qualifier?' That was BS! They worked so hard... well Naruto did. Sasuke was a sure thing, and Sakura had put all the effort of going for a light jog into it.
No... this simply pissed them off.
Kakashi smirked, at first he had felt it may have being a mistake waiting until today to tell them, letting them start to feel pride, but it was oddly... rewarding to feel there minuscule killing intent... that was until another brand hit him like a out of control semi doing eighty.
Struggling to actually draw breath he looked up and into red flecked blue eyes... this intent... it was inhuman! Every part of him was screaming to run, it was as bad as when he had looked into the red eyes of the beast in all it's glory... no worse. Then it was simply enough to melt the minds of every inexperienced shinobi in the city, this time it was entirely focused on him, and he found to his ever growing terror he wasn't even able to force himself to breath...
It was gone a moment later, and he took a breath, noting that both Sakura and Sasuke were equity pale, drawing breaths and backing away from the blond swiftly... it was a good thing it hadn't being directed at them, he had little doubt they would have literally died of shock.
'So he can use at least some of his old power... this... complicates things.' Yamato should have being chosen. He at least could have suppressed or rather Withstood the power the sealed demon was likely to throw around.
A weak smile "Er... Well I suppose that I should explain right?"
Sasuke nodded swiftly composing himself 'What was that? He had always felt... glimmers, of fear of the blond for some reason, but that just there was unreal... the closest thing to it was... 'Itachi' a growl more then anything. Well if he could learn to handle That, then he'd be one step closer... if anything he may have finally found a worthy rival.
Sakura was simply freaked out. 'This is what they meant' her parents had always told her to stay away from Naruto... that he was dangerous. Yah he gave off creepy vibes now and then but it wasn't anything major... not until right then. 'What is he?' she kept her distance.
Naruto himself was scolding himself for tugging on yoki like that. 'Way to freak out your team mates... well I guess they'd find out sooner or later about it... I mean I'd have to use it at some point, and it's not like it's not noticeable.'
Kakashi sweat dropped again. "Right... well this exam has a 33 percent success rate. The test is to Insure that you can survive in the real world." he explained seriously. Gaining the attention of his students. "Grades are great and all but what works on paper and what works in the field are rarely the same thing."
The concealed aggression Naruto was still letting leek through slowly died away at the speech... well that made sense he supposed. "Right then... whats the test?"
The masked nin grinned wider, well at least he was somewhat reasonable... things might not be as bad as he feared, still... he was going to have to put a lot more into this then he suspected. "A basic qualifier as stated... your goal is to get one of these." he held up two bells. "From me. As you can see... at least One of you is going to head back to the academy." his eye narrowed seriously.
Sakura looked slightly panicked at that. Earlier on she would have figured herself and Sasuke could easily pass but now... 'What works on paper rarely works on the field.' rang though her head... she wasn't the Worst at practicals... but her grade was almost entirely at it's spot because of test scores... and Naruto... he had shown that insane killing intent. Between him and Sasuke she had no chance at all of getting the bells. Unless... 'That could work! I team up with Sasuke and get a bell with him before Naruto has a chance.' a small devious smirk came across her face. 'Well take that prize right under the monsters nose.'
Sasuke himself was contemplative, this was a great chance to test himself. A chance to go far, to show what he was capable of. Defeat a Jonin? Even he wasn't that arrogant, not yet, someday, soon if he had a say in it, but not yet. Stealing something from one however was another matter. It'd be hard... but not outside of his limits.
Kakashi smirked, but kept his posture open ready to defend or attack at a moments notice "Right... You have until Noon." he held out a small timer, turned the dial and planted it with one smooth movement, putting the bells to his belt in it's stead. "Go."
In a flash Sasuke was in the Trees looking for cover, Sakura hot on his heals.
Naruto remained standing. Kakashi was more then slightly nervous, and swiftly sped up his chakra flow. A trick he had found both increased his speed, strength, and resistance to genjutsu at the price of cutting deeply into his stamina. In this state he'd only last one fifth his normal limit, but it was his only shot at resisting that killer intent. It had worked in his last 'match' with the fox... to an extent.
Naruto narrowed his eyes 'He's serious... really serious. Still. Somethings... not right. "It's a trick." he said aloud. "Your trying to separate us. The two bells, the 'garmented fail'... even provoking me at the start I bet." he was wrong, but it had indeed proven a fortunate misstep on his part, so why not let him think that?
"Very clever... but why?" Kakashi asked, wondering how much he had figured out. Sasuke and Sakura were at a distance... it was unlikely they could hear them.
Naruto frowned "I haven't figured that part out yet. But I do know something." he smirked slightly.
Kakashi frowned "What is that?"
"I'm sick of holding back out of fear." came the response. "Ever since I was a small child... before I even knew fully what I am. I was afraid of people... they always feared me, hated me. I tried to blend in, act like I was one of them. But the truth is." the flickers started to spreed, as his killing intent washed over the area, unfocused, hazy almost, but prescient. And choking the life out of the area around him. The grass at his feat, wilting, then actually braking away to dust.
Kakashi clenched, this was worse then he had suspected. Was he going to go on another rampage?
"I'm not." continued the blond. "I walk among you... unwelcome, a hated blight on the village. And to be honest... much of the reason I don't just go nuts and slaughter everyone is simply not to prove them right. To prove I can be more then what I am 'destined' to." this much bitterness... it was a new side. "I was so afraid. I wanted to be 'Naruto' and not 'Kyuubi'" this brought forth even more worry. "But... I have to accept that. I have to go beyond it. Who I am... doesn't matter. What matters. Is what I will become." he locked eye/s with the silver haired man. "And the first step to becoming that. Is to become a Ninja of this village that hates me so." he smirked. "So... get the bells huh?"
Kakashi had a split second to dodge as a red aura infused Claw ripped a chunk out of the earth he was just standing on. Red eyes tracking his movement, even as the other slashed towards him at speeds no Genin should be able to move at.
Splinters exploded across the clearing as Yoki infused claws obliterated the substitution the Jonin had used. A red comet shooting off in towards the foliage after the retreating Jonin.
'SHIT!' this was the main thought of Kakashi. Naruto was a LOT more dangerous then he had suspected, and that was saying something.
No time to lift his eye patch, barely time for seals, he grabbed and threw a set of kunai at Naruto in an attempt to slow him down. This failed
deflecting the blades with a swipe of is arm, the now half melted weapons clattered to the ground as the sealed demon dug his claws into the ground charging ahead on all fours.
Kakashi dodged to the side, wincing as the shroud of yoki grazed his arm, burning in a way unlike katon jutsu. He jumped back barely avoiding the revered claw swipe trails of chakra still carving neat little scratches along his chest. 'He's speeding up.' he noted with growing horror. This was like fighting Gai... no worse. It was like fighting some demonic Hyuuga Gai. Even one touch would cause damage. kunai shot out from his side and he changed to a log in a swift replacement, barely missing his swap once again being reduced to splinters.
"Come on Sensei! You can do better then this!" Naruto all but roared eyes wild.
Kakashi himself was breathing hard. 'Damn... that was a Lot closer then I expected... I may have made a bad call on this one.' He looked down at the energy infused figure 'Of all the times for him to finally snap it had to me on my watch.'
Sasuke struck hard and fast. Having seen Kakashi's replacement the moment Sakura's kunai and Naruto's fist had struck. He honestly was surprised she had it in her to fulfill her part in this. But the opening was made, and they had to move fast before the 'dobe' struck again.
The Dobe... He doubted he'd ever call him that again. In class he had always being weird true, but right now he had never seen anything fight like he had. The aggression and malice... even worse he acted like he was playing PLAYING with there Jonin sensei. No. Dead last in class or not, this was no dobe. This was a sleeping beast that had just woken up... and it was pissed.
Kakashi's eyes widened as Sasuke charged kunai in hand. "You fool!" Naruto would be on them in moments, there position now evident.
Moments later the tree they were standing on exploded, sending Sasuke flying and pinning Kakashi to the trunk with force.
"So... Get the bells huh Sensei?" the words were said with disdain, Naruto simply reached out and snatched them. He held them out "I pass then I guess?" He then tossed them over to Sasuke, who was just picking himself up. "Or not." his eyes narrowed "Well? Is this what you wanted Sensei? Is IT!" a Clawed hand smashed though the wood to the left of the silver haired man.
"Thats enough Naruto!" came the aged voice of the one person in the village that could end this.
Naruto froze, and turned his head slowly, a red slit eye locking with the Hokage... the old man. He seemed... tired, angery, and... sad? Why was he sad? Naruto let the shroud drop allowing the now harshly breathing Jonin to slide down into a sitting position.
Sarutobi frowned "It seems I was mistaken... letting you take this exam as you were."
Naruto's eyes shot open "W-what? Why!"
"Why? Look around you Naruto! You've nearly killed your Sensei, your teammates are terrified of you! And half of Kohona's elite have shown up ready for the second coming of Kyuubi!" the old man waved his hand dramatically... and proved a point. The Trees were littered with grim faced Jonin the expressionless masks of ANBU.
Naruto looked around him blinking, eyes wide. "But I..."
"Attacked as viscously as you did last night." the third continued. He shook his head "It's only the fact that you Did in fact control yourself sufficiently not to launch any death blows that I am speeching to you now." what he would have being doing otherwise was obvious.
The blond shrunk, head drooping. "I just wanted to... I wanted to make them stop." he said. "They NEVER stop. I'm sick of it! They treat me like a Monster. Whats so wrong with showing them what a real monster is!?" he looked up in rage and for a moment his eyes flickered red.
"That is the wrong part Naruto... If you let yourself become a monster... you only prove them right." The old man stated. "I know your stronger then that."
The blond held he head defiantly... but there was a waver to him before he simply gave out and fell to his knees. "I just want them to stop old man... Any of it to stop."
"I know Naruto." the Sandaime approached, much to the tensing of others, and picked up the silently crying boy. "You need to be strong Naruto... if you want them to stop, then you have to be strong enough to prove them wrong."
--
Authors note part 2: Well... wasn't that a little drama fest in the end. Truth of the matter what I'm doing right now is essentially putting Naruto through 'the stages of grief.' so expect him to switch to acceptance pretty soon, at that point it'll be switching from 'drama' to much more 'mindlessly violent' perhaps a hint of romance... and of course, gore, dark disturbing things, and a houseplant that will eat your family.
To elaborate, right now Naruto is a powerhouse. I'd say a little over his original one tailed state. However unlike the original host ver... no real time limit, and in fact his power limit only Grows with use... so yah... pretty much anyone under Jonin is mince meat, and even those at the top ranking of that are not likely to win. A Sanin could beat him, but not easily. They'd need to actually TRY, and one slip up... well most get to that level by Avoiding slip ups... Regardless, yah, Naruto is not a fun person to fight all out.
Will he be part of team seven? Well. You'll see. The next chapter will include a bit of starting angst, fallowed by acceptance, and YAY missions!
Speeching of that... Hopefully the next one will come out. Unlike this one which was kinda tricky, and needed to be written carefully so that certain important characters were not killed off/crippled/rendered comatose vea Killing intent mindfucking. The next one's pretty simple, ergo, quick. Until then!
Final note... I am debating resurrection an old Jak trilogy story of mine, if I do, some attention may be diverted that way. If so, feel free to read. If it's not your tastes? I don't care. See, everyone (coughimportantcough) is happy!
Personal note: If anyone was wondering. Yes I did just drink a case of highly caffeinated beverages before writing the authors notes.