Requiem of the Moon
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
If you've seen where the poll stands recently, you'll know that Naruto does undoubtedly leave Konoha to train, but who with is still left uncertain. He won't pair up or stay single for sure till next chapter. Hope that doesn't put people off!
Also, looking for Beta reader. Please PM me!
"How is he?" muttered the third, as he walked towards the hospital ward, a doctor scampering beside him.
"Well, theoretically speaking, his body remains intact, but he has just seen someone murdered and killed a man. The stress should be pilling up in head. This is a psychological issue now."
Hizuren Sarutobi sighed, and then strode into the ward. Sure enough, the young blond was sitting there, staring at the blank wall with sad, dead eyes.
The old man froze instantly, the very sight of the boy filling him with sorrow. He considered turning around and leaving, but Naruto saw him, and gave him a weak, strained smile. "Hi, Jiji…" he whispered. His tone was much different to his usual upbeat voice.
"Naruto." Whispered the Hokage, with a nod of his head. "I'm glad… That you are alright."
Naruto chuckled, again with very little enthusiasm. "You shouldn't be worried about me Jiji… You should be worrying about Tsukimi." He clenched his fist. "I… Am never going to forgive the Hyuga."
Sarutobi's eyes widened. "Naruto, my boy, what are you talking about?"
The blond screwed his eyes shut. "Tsukimi was always a prisoner. Even in his own home. Because of something he had no control over." "Like me…" "And he died a prisoner." His cerulean eyes shot open, and for a single moment, his irises flashed lilac. "And that is something I will never forgive!"
The hokage sighed. "Do not be so quick to hold a grudge Naruto. Embracing a dark hate has been the death of many great men, who were as wise and strong as I." he adjusted his large red hat, so it covered his eyes. "Many have died for so called revenge. And you have picked a very bad opponent to hold a grudge against. The Hyuga are wise and cunning. They are not to be trifled with."
At this Naruto grit his teeth. "WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM?!" he glared at the Hokage, who was taken aback by the sudden outburst form the very young boy. "MY TEACHER… My… My friend… WAS MURDERED BY THOSE GUYS!"
"I'm afraid your family ain't so happy with you white-eyes. So they sent me to clean you up, if you catch my drift." The words of Gin echoed in his head. "They killed my friend. I… I don't want it to end like this!"
Sarutobi sighed. "Get some rest, my boy. I'll see you tomorrow." On that note, the third hokage turned on his heels, cloak billowing behind him, and exited the ward, leaving Naruto on his own; his fists clenched around the sheets, a small amount of blood ebbing out on the white material form the fresh finger-nail marks.
"I promise Tsukimi. I'll be the strongest. The strongest Jyuken-user." He closed his eyes. "No… I'll be the first and strongest Rougufu user. I'll make you proud."
"We're just like each other kid. The underdogs."
XXX
When Sarutobi arrived the next day, Naruto was already out of bead. He was wearing his usual orange jacket, left open revealing his white shirt with the Konoha symbol emblazoned on its centre. Around his arms, snaking up into his sleeves were the bandages Tsukimi had given him to help draw out chakra. His goggles were around his neck, their lenses shining slightly in the early morning sun.
He noticed Sarutobi and smiled a slight shred of his usual hyperactive-ness showing. "Hey, Jiji!"
His energetic aura caused a slight smile to appear on the old man's face. He had not known about Naruto's training with Tsukimi, but admittedly had seen them hanging about together occasionally. He knew, deep down, Naruto was truly suffering, though covering it with his clownish façade, not unlike Iruka.
"Naruto, I am glad to say you may leave the hospital today if you wish. I've sent your monthly allowance to your apartment as normal."
Naruto grinned. "Awesome! But… Jiji." He looked down. "What happened…? To Tsukimi?"
The old man sighed. He had hoped Naruto would not ask about this. You were unconscious for five whole days, Naruto. I am sorry. His funeral was two days ago. He has a memorial stone near the edge of the cemetery."
For a second, the boy just stared. "I-I understand…" he looked down. "Can… You show me?"
Hizuren shuffled on the spot for a moment. "I'm not really sure I should…" But seeing the blonde's wide, sad eyes melted his heart. "I will show you to the grave…" he muttered.
XXX
Tsukimi Hyuga.
Aged 19
Beloved son of Mei & Ryujin Hyuga
Rest In Piece
Naruto sat in front of the small marble stone, his eyes glassed over, reading the words over and over again.
He'd only known the man for three months, and hardly even knew anything about him. All they did was train and talk a little.
Tsukimi would mention some things about his life, his duty as a branch member, the Hyuga members he had to serve, he'd talk a little bit about how the political system in the clan was screwed, and then begin to laugh.
He hid his hatred with a mask. A few tears began to fall from Naruto's eyes, dripping into his shirt. The Hokage had long since left, deciding to leave Naruto in private.
Sitting there, for the last time with his best friend, Naruto lost all track of time. When the rain began to fall, he didn't even move, still reading the words over and over again.
Under fifteen words written on his gravestone, chosen by his own parents. A six-year old boy, who had known him little over three months, could have written a novel about this man. How he respected his foes, how he showed passion in Jyuken, how he had begun to carve the mind of a young boy.
Suddenly the tears became miniature waterfalls, his fluids streaming and disappearing with the rain. The boy howled, and slammed his fist into the ground. "Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" he repeated the sentence over and over again, each time followed by a slam of his fist.
Giving an almighty cry of frustration, he slammed his fist to the side, a blast of red chakra shooting outwards and impacting with the wall surrounding the graveyard, leaving a large circular imprint on the wall. (A/N: It would have been a tree, but they've been abused too much lately in this story. Save the trees!)
He began to pant heavily, and then slumped onto the ground, out of breath. His cries were muffled by the earth, but he continued to moan. The first real person to ever become his friend had been murdered in front of his eyes. He'd not been able to attend the funeral. And the gravestone just seemed to spit on his memory.
One thought appeared in his head. He was going to make Tsukimi proud. He would… Become the greatest Hokage ever.
XXX
"Jiji, what's a 'Hokage'?" asked Naruto
The old man chuckled, and ruffled the young boy's hair. "The Hokage is the strongest ninja in Konoha, Naruto."
The boy looked confused. "But you're the Hokage, Jiji!"
At this, Sarutobi burst out laughing. "Yes, it's hard to believe isn't it?! As you can see, I am old. But with age comes wisdom. Some day you will come to know this, Naruto. The Hokage is not only the strongest, but he is the one selected to lead with an iron yet fair will. Bending like the reeds yet standing strong like a mountain. That is the duty of the Hokage."
The boy suddenly grinned. "Then I'm gonna be the Hokage one day! I'll show you Jiji! I'll be the best Hokage ever!"
The memory was playing through the old man's head over and over again as he read Naruto's letter, shaking his head in dismay. "Such a foolish boy."
Jiji… I'm going away for a while. I don't know how long. Please don't send people after me. I've taken the allowance you've given me, food and clothes, but nothing else. I am going to become strong- No matter what. When I come back, you better have that hat ready for me!
-Naruto
"Should we recover him, Hokage-sama?" asked one ANBU in a raven mask.
"No, Itachi." Said the Hokage, in a solemn tone. "It's his choice."
"But Hokage-sama; he could die out there! If he meets anyone from Iwa-"
"I have faith in Naruto." Sarutobi smiled at the young ANBU. "The will of fire burns strong in him. Just like you, my friend."
The teen nodded, with a slight feeling of pride. "Thank you, Hokage-sama."
The old man closed his eyes, then folded the letter in half and placed it in a deep pocket. "If anyone asks, Naruto has been moved to a different area. I trust you with this secret, Itachi."
The young ANBU bowed respectfully. "As you wish Hokage-sama."
Sarutobi chuckled, then stared out the window to the now starry sky. "Good luck, my boy. I hope you will return soon."
XXX
With a low grunt, Naruto collapsed on his knees, panting. He slid the rucksack off his shoulders, and shuffled over to some soft ground. He'd been walking for three hours straight, with no clue which direction he was walking in.
He opened his bag and pulled out a small wrapped loaf of bread and a bottle of water. He had four bottles and three loaves left, so the hope of surviving for any substantial amount of time depended on luck.
The boy finished his short meal then headed over to a group of trees tying his gauze securely around his fists. He'd never managed to complete the tree walking exercise, but he sure as hell was going to!
Momentarily forgetting about his late sensei, the boy dashed at the tree then placed his foot squarely on the trunk, letting it stick with a cushion of chakra. He then proceeded to dash up the large wooden plant with gaining speed, his energy regained due to his small meal.
When he felt his grip slipping he leapt of the branch, making a quick slash at the trunk with his chakra charged hand, leaving a small yet easily seen mark. At Konoha he'd managed to advance to around half the size of an average tree. Judging by how far he'd just reach on this one, he hadn't advanced too far.
But the boy wasn't going to give up, and with a roar of determination he dashed at the thick trunk, leaping up again and gaining a chakra-charged foothold.
When he was training, his thoughts about the outside world turned to a blank. His strength was advancing with every step he took up that tree, and the blond loved every second of it. He wasn't going to let what happened to Tsukimi happen to another one of his precious people ever again.
XXX
"What do you mean he's gone?!" roared Fugaku Uchiha, as he slammed his fist onto the desk of the council chambers.
The Hokage sighed wearily. The council had suddenly turned into an uproar as soon as he'd mentioned Naruto's departure. Part of him was silently cursing for not keeping it to himself, but as the leader of the village it was really his duty to tell the council. "Naruto left at an unknown time yesterday. His whereabouts are also unknown. All we know is he went out to train after he discovered his late teacher had been murdered by the nuke-nin Gin Inuzuka."
At this Tsume smashed the desk in front of her to pieces with one fist. "THAT BASTARD SHOWED HIS FACE?! WHERE THE HELL IS THAT TRAITOROUS PRICK?!"
"Language." Muttered Sarutobi, sternly. "And as for Gin, he is dead. We buried him in the small graveyard on the outskirts of our village. I was unaware you had not been informed."
"Like hell!" cried the angry female clan-head. "You think I'd be HERE if Gin I knew about Gin's death? I'd be dancing around getting laid in a strip-club if I'd heard sooner."
Some clan-heads muttered in disapproval.
Sarutobi allowed himself a chuckle. "I am sure I sent you a message, but it matters not. You know now. As for Naruto-"
"Send the hunter nin." Fugaku cut in immediately. "That brat is too valuable to die out in the wilderness!"
The elderly man sighed. "Duly noted Fugaku, but I trust Naruto. I am sure he can survive well enough on his own."
"Idle thinking, Hokage-sama." Muttered Danzo, his one eyes fixing on the Hokage. The word 'sama' seemed to be spat out his mouth with utter distaste. "You seem to forget we are talking about a six year old child. Not only does his inexperience speak against him, but the fact he is a well known Jinchuriki and a holder of the Kyuubi at that, does not go in his favour. That alone could overwhelm someone, but if meets someone from Iwa…" he closed his eye, pausing to let his point sink in. "…You know what will happen."
The man bit his lip. Danzo seemed to have unearthed all the point which he REALLY did not need at this time.
Shikaku Nara grunted, as he leant further back against the wall. "I say leave the kid. He'll do fine on his own (And fetching him would be too troublesome…)"
Inoichi shrugged. "I am indifferent to this. Though I do not care for the boy, the fact remains he is a valuable asset to this village, and may be useful in the unforeseeable future."
Choza simply chuckled. "If the boy has made up his mind, we should let him go. His letter did say he'd come back right?" he grinned happily. "I trust the Hokage's choice."
"Then I call a vote." Grunted Homura. "I vote we call back the brat."
Koharu simply nodded. "I agree with Homura. We bring back the Kyuubi jinchuriki."
"Let him do what he wants." Muttered Tsume, who seemed to be thoroughly bored with the council meeting now.
The council continued to vote until everyone present had cast their opinions.
It ended in a slim majority in favour of letting the child stay out of the village. Some had just wanted the kid out of their hair, others simply didn't care. But whatever the reasons, the vote had been cast, and nothing could be changed.
The hokage nodded, and closed his weary eyes. "It is decided. We let Naruto Uzumaki go until he decides to return. This word is final."
XXX
"Maybe I didn't think this training thing through properly…" groaned Naruto. His arms were drooping and his eyes were screwed shut as he trudged weakly along the road.
Only two days had passed and he'd eaten all his food. As he guessed, his luck wasn't really that good.
"So… Hungry…" he muttered, his pace continuing to slow with every step. He finally fell to the ground, groaning, his belly continuing to grumble. "Want… Ramen… Need… Noodles…"
He advanced into a crawl, all thoughts other than food gone from his head. Suddenly, his eyes widened. It may have been rather distant, but surely enough, there was a small village off the horizon.
His weakness gone, the six-year old was on his feet in a flash, dashing at high speed towards the now nearing village, a trickle of saliva running down his cheek. "RAMEN!!!"
XXX
Chapter kinda ended in a stupid way, but that's a typical Naruto for ya! I'll keep the poll up for two more days, then bring it down and replace it with… *Cue drum role…*
The dreaded pairings poll. DUN-DUN-DUN… Anyhow, Funu is definitely in, and maybe some other of Acepro's OC's will be in. But that's up to the poll. And as for the matter concerning Hinata, let me just say this; though I find the NaruHina pairing impossibly cute, it is also the most spammed pairing in the whole of fanfictiondom (Is that even a word?)
I want this story to be kinda different. That said; Naruto is basically using a remixed Jyuken, so the pairing may be appropriate. Anyway, rant over, options for pairings are over. Five girls max. Funu already in. And then there were four.
-Sakura
-Ino
-Hinata
-Yakumo
-Anko
-Temari
-Kin
-Tayuya
-Riri (See Acepro's profile)
-Fuka (The chick who kills people by kissing them. What a cliché.)
-Samui
-Karui
(Pauses for breath)
-Isari
-Shina
-Koyuki
-Fuu (I recommend this, as she is hardly used)
-Mei (Again, I recommend her as well.)
Cast up to four votes. See ya next chapter!