A/N: Here we go for the second chapter... I don't know how often I'll be updating so... be patient eh?
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, if I did; Gaara would be in it a hell of a lot more.
Chapter 1
-1 Year After Leaving Konoha-
"No no, up strike, then a down strike. Here try again."
Naruto sighed and rolled up off the grown, holding a wooden training sword in his hand. He nodded at the purple haired man in front of him. "K, I'm ready to try again."
Jace smiled at his young charge. Only a month into their trip the blonde container had picked up the basics of good chakra control. Jace had told him to do chakra manipulation exercises at night, for if they weren't walking during the day they'd practice building up his body. Right now, it was kenjutsu training.
He was broken form his reverie as the whiskered boy dashed forward, with a surprising amount of grace for a five year old, and swung up with his training sword. Jace leaned back to avoid, and was caught slightly off guard when Naruto, at the top of swing changed his hand positions and brought the sword back down, leaning forward slightly catching his teacher on the knee.
Jace smiled and then kicked the bottom of the weapon with his other leg, popping it from the child's grasp. He reached out and snagged it with his free hand. "Not bad Naruto. Not bad at all. Especially since your 5."
"Five and a half."
Jace grinned wider and motioned for the blonde to settle for the day. He stretched and put the two training weapons away before channelling chakra into the seal on his glove. With a puff of smoke a large cooled beverage appeared in his hand. Both children raised an eyebrow at the familiar site.
"Dad, how DO you do that?" The red haired girl asked, putting away her flute.
Jace shrugged as he took a slurp. "It's a type of summoning I accidentally stumbled across. It's a variant of animal summoning, something I'll teach you guys someday."
This time Naruto spoke, "But, summoning a slurpee? How is that possible?"
Jace shrugged again, "I don't question where it comes from. If whatever deities exist deign to give me some of their sustenance so be it. I won't complain." He said, taking another slurp of his addiction.
Somewhere across the dimensional boundaries... A 7-11 employee questions his sanity about why one particular machine always seems to empty faster than the other.
The two children shrugged it off. Tayuya looked around "Hey Dad... Where are we going anyways?"
"Sunagakure... Hidden Village of the Sand. I heard from one of my contacts about another possible demon container. From the sounds of it he has a defective seal... So we're going to check." Jace said gesturing towards the desert. The children nodded and then went about their evening activities. Jace sighed and slumped into a folding chair he brought him everywhere he went. His ear twitched as he caught the sound of something about a hundred yards away. Making a few handsigns he whispered, "Legion no Bunshin." A copy of him appeared, only clad in desert cam gear with twin katanas strapped to its back. He silently directed the clone to go investigate.
The faint sound of muffled screams was heard a few minutes later and the kids snapped to attention, and then looked at their caretaker. "What was that?" The ever observant blonde said.
"Mm? Oh, It was nothing." Jace said smiling, drinking his slurpee.
Both kids had picked up that meant: It was probably human and no longer alive. They shrugged it off, it was common enough. But Naruto frowned a bit. "Hey Jace-san..."
"hey! None of that san crap. You know it's just Jace for me all right?"
Naruto nodded, "Jace... When are you gonna teach me some cool jutsu?"
Jace looked thoughtful for a moment. "Hmm, well you've been patient... relatively speaking... for a year now... So I can show some I guess."
Tayuya looked up at him as well. "And me Dad?"
Another smile form Jace, "Of course you to. Anything you guys wanna learn in particular?"
Naruto looked thoughtful, rubbing his chin for a moment. "How about that Legion no Bunshin you always use?"
Jace shook his head, "You can't pull that off unless you've mastered integrating demonic chakra with your own... It's an SS class jutsu that only skilled demon vessels can pull off. One I made myself. So while you might learn it later not yet. Besides I want to teach you both the same thing." He paused, thinking, "How about some earth jutsu? We are heading into the desert after all." Both children smiled.
Jace motioned them out of the campsite and told them to pay attention, "Now this is called Earth Pillar. Form these seals here..." He said going through about 8 handseals slowly so they could watch. "Then channel chakra to your feet, stomp and..." As he stomped into the ground a huge pillar of dirt shot up in front of him. "..Presto! Instant wall. This is great as a quick distraction, blocks off an enemy view point while you prepare something else and if you get it underneath a guy can launch them quite high into the air." The kids nodded and immediately attempted to do it on their own. They managed to get a wall of about 5 inches between the two of them. Jace sighed. "it takes work... Don't worry we have time, once you master this I'll show another one that goes great with it. Now come on time for bed." With a sigh the kids went into their respective tents. Jace watched and smiled he turned to the small campfire and started manipulating the flames, creating different shapes in them. After an hour of manipulation exercises, which consisted of using earth manipulation to make a small city, then burn it to the ground, he exhaled loudly looking around. Summoning 2 Legion bunshins to stand guard he closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.
-2 weeks later, outside the walls of Suna-
In the last 2 weeks the kids had almost gotten the wall above their heads. Which was fairly impressive as all things went as Jace suspected neither of the 2 had a very good affinity for earth. But, strengthen your weakness, and your strengths will be better still. It was Jace's own motto for training himself. So all things considered 4 feet was fairly impressive... For a 5 year old and a 7 year old. He shrugged to himself mentally as he was stopped by ANBU guards. "Can I help you?" He asked the masked pair.
They looked at him before the one on the left spoke, "You are the White Phoenix... Jace right?"
The lilac haired man shrugged non-commitally, "Amongst other names yes."
"The kazekage heard you were in the area and wishes to meet with you. Follow Us." They said in neither an asking or demanding tone.
"Lemme get a hotel for my apprentices here to stay in first." He didn't call them his children around ANBU never knew how that would be taken after all. The 2 elites looked at each other and nodded, directing the three travelers to a decent and well priced place to stay, Jace bid his young charges farewell and told them he would be back soon.
A few minutes later Jace found himself in the Kazekage office sitting in a fairly comfortable chair sipping some sort of tea. The Kazekage looked him up and down. "So I've heard rumours you're... Very capable, how many Rain nin's did you kill in that one ambush? 150?"
Jace raised an eyebrow, "200... My partner at the time took out another 100. If I may be so bold, we have you asked this meeting?"
The Kage spread his hands, "Why wouldn't I wish to meet someone with a reputation as yourself? But as you may have correctly surmised, I need you to do something for me... An assassination."
Jace shrugged, "No bigge. Who, How, Why and where?"
"My son Gaara... How is up to you... And why, is because he contains the One Tailed Demon." The Kazekage said neutrally.
"Ah... Out of control is it?" Jace said in a knowing voice. Hiding his own mental disgust. You motherfucking excuse of a father. First you fuck the kid's life and now you want to go 'oops' and hit a magic fucking reset button? I have half a mind to...- He mentally ran through a list of several dozen torture techniques all while smiling. "Sure I'll do it... Cheap to since you're a first time customer. How about... 20'000? 10'000 now, the rest after."
The Kage raised an eyebrow, considering he was hunting a demon vessel that was a reasonable price indeed. I guess the rumours about this man are true. He is not motivated by wealth, though he doesn't mind to make a profit. I mean, he simply looks bored... Best to curry his favour now. If he survives... He will be most useful to call on later. The sand leader thought. "Agreed. As a bonus however let me give you an additional 5k on completion."
Jace half nodded. "Indeed. I will come by tomorrow upon completion." He said, and with that he rose from his seat grabbing a small check on his way out of the building. He smirked inwardly, Well, I guess I don't need to worry about any kidnapping charges now... He almost skipped back to the hotel, grabbing a scroll on altering seals and consulting with his 'guest'. Who knew a bird demon was so knowledgeable on the art of sealing?
-A few hours later around midnight-
Jace scowled, he knew the military budget was slashed but damn the guards here sucked. Or maybe it's that they knew he was coming and didn't want to be collateral. He shrugged the thought off and slipped onto the rooftops where he'd seen the red haired boy go. He got up and watched as the boy sat and stared at the moon. His life sucks... I swore I would never let anyone suffer as I did if I could prevent it. Guess what kid, tonight's your once in a lifetime opportunity... "Gaara I presume?" He spoke softly as he walked up behind the boy.
The red head turned, his eyes a mix of fear, sadness and rage. "What do you want? You come to kill me to?" Sand started to pour from his gourd, like a snake ready to strike.
Jace sat cross legged and shook his head. "No. Well, ok. That's what I was hired to do, but not why I'm here."
Gaara shifted into an unbelieving expression. "Why are you here then?"
"To give you an offer kid. But first, tell me do you hear voices?" The sand child's eyes widened as he nodded. "I thought as much... I can make the voices go away, calm the demon." He said with a smile.
Disbelief crossed the emerald eyed boy's face. "But why? I'm a monster..."
Jace looked angry and slightly hurt at the comment, "Gaara... If I were to call you a monster and deny your humanity, then I would be denying my own as well."
Gaara's eyes went wide at that. "You've got a-" Jace nodded. "You can make it go away?" He almost begged as a sorrow no child should know showed itself in his eyes. Jace nodded.
"This will hurt... Me more then you if I do it right. But don't worry, you'll fall asleep and wake up with friends." He said smiling again. That trustworthy smile that could warm the most emotionless of people... When he did it right anyways.
Gaara nodded hesitantly, after all what did he have to lose? "All... all right..."
Jace nodded and motioned the child to lift his shirt, exposing the seal. He almost swore out loud. Whoever sealed this kid was on crack! What the fuck were they thinking? "Damnit... This is defiantly going to hurt me... Oh well... Brace yourself kid."
Faster than Gaara could react, Jace thrust both hands forward, one onto Gaara's head, the other over the seal on his stomach. His hands started to glow a pale blue as his eyes flashed from grey to a violent storm of blue and yellow.
Jace quickly found himself in Gaara's mindscape. As he removed the seal and put on a new one he would have to hold back the demon with his own willpower for the brief moment it was free. He gazed around a large desert, miles of endless sand. "Huh, no mind is like the other..." He said softly before spying his prey in the distance he walked towards it and swore at the sight.
A large circle was drawn in the sand, the huge form of Shukaku standing within. Tied only with a small frail rope that was attached to a small wooden sign outside the circle. The sign read, "Please don't poke the Tanuki" on it a little chibi figure with a stick was being mauled by the sand demon. Jace sweat dropped at the sight. "Well no fucking wonder the kid is messed up!"
The demon caught sight of him and growled.
"And who might you be trespassing in my domain?"
"Hey, fuck you, fuzz face. This ain't YOUR domain. Not for long anyways." The lilac haired warrior laughed as he did a seal hand sign. Huge metal plates rose from the ground and slammed onto the beast, a massive electric current blasted into it. The creature raged and fought, throwing it's demonic energy into the bars.
Sweat poured from Jace as he held fast keeping the creature there. Slowly a huge barrier rose from the ground, the kanji for seal written on every bar. Jace just about collapsed as the process finished, letting the electric bars fade away. He'd used his own chakra and energy to hold it back and form the seal. "Of all the times to not have access to the fucking bird's power." He panted. He glared at the caged beast. "This cage will draw slowly on your power, giving it to the boy. You no longer exert the hold you once did... I'll check back here every so often and if your pleasant enough I might make things more bearable." And with that he was gone from the desert of Gaara's mind.
In the real world Jace fell back from Gaara and looked at his burned hands, slowly healing. "Yeah... that hurt." He looked at Gaara and smiled. The boy was curled up, fast asleep. A new seal similar to the one on Naruto glowing faintly on his belly. Wasn't quite as efficient as the blondes but it would keep the demon from the red head's dreams. Jace glanced around quickly, grabbed the boy and shunshined into the hotel room.
-The next morning-
Gaara awoke to the face of a smiling blonde and red haired girl. "W-where am I?"
Naruto grinned wide enough to blind, "You're safe with us. Dad says you're like me. So that's cool! What's your name?"
Gaara blinked a few times. "..Gaara."
"Naruto! Nice to meet you, that's Tayuya over there." He said pointing at the red haired girl who looked up and smiled at him. A genuine warm smile, Gaara couldn't believe it. He looked around and found himself in a small camp outside the city. He looked at Naruto questioningly.
The blond shrugged, "Dad moved us all out last night after bringing you back. He said he was gonna get his money then come back. You're gonna be travelling with us!" Naruto smiled again, this time getting a smile from Gaara as well. Naruto then stared him in the eyes, "Hey, Dad said we're like brothers... so can I call you bro?"
Gaara blinked again. Noone he had ever met treated him like this! He nodded slowly. "..I guess."
It was then Jace came up on the camp happily skipping along, yes skipping, and don't question it. All super powered people are allowed to be quirky. He looked at Gaara, "Sleeping beauty awakes. How are ya?"
Gaara looked at the man he'd met the night before. "Good. Thank You..."
Jace smiled, "Hey, birds of a feather. Everyone needs someone to look out for them." He paused, "So Gaara, your father thinks you're dead. Your free to do as you wish. But I would ask if you would consider coming with us."
Gaara looked at Suna, the city and family that treated him like a demon. And then at the people currently surrounding him, who looked at Him, not some creature inside. "...No choice. I would gladly come with you... Dad..."
Jace raised an eyebrow at that. "Umm, you don't gotta-"
Gaara raised a hand and cut him off, "In one night you have treated me better then my Father has in my entire life. But if you do not wish me-"
Jace sighed in defeat, "Naw, it's fine. The other two call me that as well. Goes to show family is more than blood right?" The three children before him smiled and nodded. Jace grinned, Who knew... I bet Dray would laugh if he heard I was looking after a group of kids that called me Dad... He closed his eyes at the thought, and at the memory of his closest friend, before clapping his hands together. "Now then, morning training begins!" Naruto groaned, Tayuya sighed and Gaara raised a non-existent eyebrow. Jace rubbed his hands together gleefully, he was gonna shape these brats into the best team the shinobi world had seen... Or die trying. Well, maybe not die... More like give up and grab a slurpee. But he would definitely try! He looked out towards the sandy dunes imaging the world beyond them and smirked. 6 years until he promised Ol' Man Sarutobi he'd be back... This was going to be fun.
...
A/N: And thus ends chapter 2! I love Gaara, I really do... Next time we meet up with our merry little misfits will be when they get back to Konoha. Fun fun fun! There will be flashbacks in later chapters hinting at things they did and people they met however.
Next time on Children of the Fire: Taking the Genin exams by Storm!
For those of you interested:
Gaara: Age 5
Naruto: Age 5
Tayuya: Age 7
Jace: Age 26
(these next two were unseen but I'll throw their ages in anyways)
Temari: Age 8
Kankuro: Age 7
Jutsu of the day: Legion no Bunshin
Creator: Jace
Type: Clone/replicant
Uses: A high combat version of Kage Bunshin, the Legion clones are infused with demonic chakra giving them mass stamina. It takes a lethal shot to bring down one of these clones. Each clone looks different and is armed differently, reflecting Jace's own Infinity style. (Each clone uses a particular style Jace has mastered, whereas he can use all of them. Yes, he is just that good.)