The Light Within the Darkness

The Light Within the Darkness

Part 6

Disclaimer: I don't own the show or any of the original characters.

Through the cover of darkness two men scaled the great walls of Konohagakure. They wore cloaks as black as the sky they traveled under with red clouds. As they came to the top of the wall, a sentry started to sound the alert. The man was stopped short though, as a long red scythe cut his head clean from his body. The two figures stood on the wall and scanned over the city, looking for something. The two men were none other than Hidan and Kakuzu, elite members of the Akatsuki.

"What do you think we should do Kakuzu?" Hindan inquired with an all too serious tone.

"I'm think that we should lay low and scout this Naruto out for awhile. See who he talks to, what his routine is like, those closest to him, and so on. We'll use our surroundings and those who are around us to our advantage," said Kakuzu with a dark tone. Hidan nodded in agreement, smiling to himself as he thought of how much blood he was going to spill on this mission.

"Yes, but we cannot stay for too long. We are here to get Naruto without harming him…too much," said Hidan, putting a lot of emphasis on those last words. "Also, we are here to take out a few top shinobi, making sure everyone knows who did it, and who those people work for. We are to make everyone quiver in fear at the name Akatsuki!"

The two men made their decent to the sleepy village below, knowing full well that blood would be spilt this night.

Naruto was completely and utterly befuddled, and right now any rational thinking seemed laughable at best. Never in his entire life would he have expected this one coming. This man…this…Daichi…had just told him that he was a cousin!

Daichi had not moved since he told Naruto of the unbelievable news. Naruto was getting a little uncomfortable by his 'cousin' standing there with that grin on his face.

"You're who?" Naruto asked with a hint of irritation in his voice.

The man stepped back a little bit and took a deep bow. " I am Daichi Namikaze, your long lost cousin, and as far as I know, your only living relative. I must say that I never thought you would be so…similar to me and the rest of your family."
Naruto's face was beet red. Who did this guy think he was calling himself family and acting like his been around forever?

"WHY IN THE WORLD SHOULD I BELIEVE A SINGLE WORD THAT YOU SAY? HERE I AM JUST MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS AND YOU SHOW UP OUTTA NOWHERE AND START CALLING YOURSELF A COUSIN AND ALL THIS OTHER BULLSHIT! I NOT EVEN SURE WHO THE FUCK YOU REALLY ARE!" Naruto was screaming so loud that foam was almost coming out of his mouth. He was enraged to a point that was just below going Kyuubi on this guy's ass.

The man stood back a few more steps and his facial expression went from gleeful to dead serious. He looked Naruto right in the eyes, the two men's blues pools of emotion locked in a gaze that neither would break.

"Naruto, I must ask that you calm down. I figured you would be upset and even a little offended but this is most outrageous. I can prove to you that I am family many times over if that's what it takes to convince you."

Naruto looked suspiciously at Daichi and scratched his chin, considering the possibilities and implications his next few words could have. After a moment of deliberation he decided to ask Daichi some questions that only someone related to him would know.

"Okay then, I'll shoot you a few questions and if you get them right I'll believe your words." Daichi nodded his head in agreement.

"What is my favorite food?" asked Naruto, because the question seemed one of the most basic things a relative would know about him.

"Ramen," Daichi answered not even taking time to think. Naruto wrote it off as beginners luck and continued with the assessment.

"Who are my two sensei?"

"Jiraiya of the Sannin and Kakashi Hatake." Once again, Daichi didn't even stutter. Naruto was slightly impressed, but refused to show it. Daichi shook his head and put his hands up pleadingly.

"Naruto, stop this foolishness. If I say I can prove it to you than let me do just that." Naruto thought about it and decided to cut the man a break. Besides, he was running out of questions to ask him!

"I know a lot about you Naruto, I could go on and on about how I've watched you since the day of your birth up until just a week or so ago," Daichi's voice was calm enough to sooth most of Naruto's bubbling anger.

"Ok then," said Naruto with an impassive look on his face. "Prove it."

Daichi took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "I know about the Kyuubi Naruto. I know how you are it's host body and you have had it inside you since you can remember. I know that it was the 4th Hokage who sealed it up inside of you, too. I know that you feel like a outsider and alone most of the time because of the way the older folks of the village treat you. I know that since you were a young boy they've treated you horribly and you never quite understood why."

Naruto was not only stunned, he was fighting back tears. Hearing all this was just making him relive those horrid moments of his younger days. His anger and sadness started rising inside of him once again, mostly due to the fact that the man's words rang true.
"Stop," Naruto said in a voice that was barley a quivering whisper, "please."

"No Naruto, just because you've suppressed these memories doesn't mean they don't exist. You have to understand why you were given those looks as a child. They elders of this village all know what lives inside of you Naruto, and like it or not, that's all they see when they look at you. They see the monster that killed their loved ones and almost destroyed their whole way of life. I know it's not right and it's unfair, but that's just they way it is. You may be wondering how I know all this and I'm telling you it's because I'm your cousin Naruto. Not some bum wandering through town, your cousin live and in the flesh. You may not understand or believe it all, but just give me a chance and I'm sure you'll believe me," said Daichi who looked at Naruto with empathy in his eyes that Naruto recognized right away as sincere.

Naruto was shaking all over to the point where he could barley stand up. This was all just too much for him to take in one setting. It was almost like a dream that had died in the young man long ago. When he was in the orphanage he always knew someone out there was looking for him, and someone out there cared about him. Someone wanted to love him and shield him from all the darkness that almost completely enveloped him in those early years. That dreamed had died shortly after he got out of the orphanage at age six and realized that no one was coming, nobody cared, and nobody loved him.

Naruto didn't know if it Daichi's knowledge about him that only one or two people at the most knew about, or that deep down he wanted to believe that this was that someone who cared, but he stumbled forward a few steps and fell to his knees. Still shaking and not knowing if he believed the man one hundred percent, Naruto looked up into Daichi's eyes once again. The man's gaze was sincere with heartfelt understanding of what Naruto had been through his whole life. He wasn't sure why, but he knew that Daichi was probably telling the truth. The young shinobi tried to speak up and talk, but the words only came out as odd noises.

"It's ok Naruto, you don't have to say anything," Daichi said, helping Naruto to his feet.. "I know it's a lot to process at once, but I promise you that I will not let you down. I can imagine how much hope you've probably got for something like this, and I swear I will not let that hope die."

Naruto still was at a loss for words, and it didn't seem like any would come to him for some time...

Watching the scene of Daichi and Naruto from afar, Hinata couldn't help but wonder if Naruto was going to be ok. Whoever this guy was he was obviously powerful, because her father's eyes had not gotten smaller since he came inside. All the color seemed to be drained in his face, and he wouldn't talk to anyone who tried to ask him what was wrong. She worried for Naruto more than she usually would have, mostly due to their growing closer after the last few days. She was finally talking to him on a regular basis now and she didn't want anyone to ruin that for her. She had to get out there and see what was going on, she just didn't know how to go about doing it.

Her dad was already out of the picture, he went off to his room shortly after coming inside and had made no contact with anyone since. Neji was going to be out like a light for many more hours, and Hanabi wasn't up around this hour. So no one was really up to stop her or tell her know or even squeal on her. She thought about it for a few more moments, then she grabbed a few things and headed for the front door.

Naruto was on his feet now and walking with a bit of awkwardness to his step, and a bit of bile in his throat. The whole situation was just too much for him to comprehend. Now he stood before Daichi, a half a foot taller than he was, and thought maybe there was finally an answer to many of his questions.

"Naruto!"

The two men turned to see Hinata running down from the steps of her house towards them. Naruto sighed in relief that she had not gone away completely, for he didn't want that moment earlier to be the last time they talked that night. She walked over to where Naruto was and stood beside him, smiling and blushing deeply. Naruto was glad that her blush never seemed to wane, because he found that it complimented her perfect features.

Hinata's smile did not last long though as she peered up at the man who, it seemed from her window, to be giving Naruto a hard time. The man smiled at her, causing her to look at Naruto for some sort of clue as to what was going on, but she found him staring blankly back at her.

"Hello miss," the man said in a more than polite tone, "who might you be?"

Hinata thought that whoever this man was couldn't be that bad, and decided to return his greetings.
"My name is Hinata Hyuga, you saw me earlier with my cousin and father."

Daichi seemed puzzled for a moment, almost as if he had no idea what the young girl was speaking of, but then it hit him.

"OH! Your Hiashi's daughter and heiress to the Hyuga throne. Well I must say that is a great pleasure to meet you, but then again, I said those same words the first time I met your father. Well, as you can see things didn't really work out very well from there. But that is a story for a later date. Well, my name is Daichi Namikaze, and it's a pleasure to meet you Hinata. I'm Naruto's cousin, and what relationship do you hold with him may I ask?"

Hinata was stunned, she looked to Naruto again only to find an apologetic smile on his face. As far as she knew Naruto had no family to speak of, and it had been that way since she knew him.
"Sorry, but did you just say that you were Naruto's cousin?"

Daichi just smiled wider at the unknowing remark, amused by the fact that Hinata didn't quite comprehend what was going on. "Yes, I did say that, my young Hyuga, and I'm telling the truth." Daichi looked to Naruto and then back to Hinata, neither showing any bad intent, but at the same time there was little trust as well.

"Well," Hinata started off, "if your Naruto's cousin, then where have you been all these years?" Hinata sounded almost as if she were getting angry at Daichi. Naruto looked to her at first in shock, but it quickly faded as he realized the appropriateness of such a question.

"Yeah," Naruto said in an grim tone, "where have you been for these many years?"

Daichi's smiled lessened, but didn't go away completely. 'So so much that neither of them can begin to comprehend about why I've been gone. Neither know, in fact, I doubt that either really believe I'm telling the truth. Well, now is a good of time as ever for them to get to know me, might as well start at the beginning. But not tonight, the hour is late and only getting later, maybe showing Naruto a little something will brighten his mood, for he shall not be staying at his apartment tonight. He will be staying with me at our new home. That might brighten his skeptical attitude,' thought Daichi to himself, the smile on his face not faltering. 'But I can't help but wonder what a Hyuga wants with Naruto. Maybe she's an informant to her father, but I can't let her know I'm suspicious in the least, or she might mess up the plan that has been set before all of us. She doesn't seem to have any hostile motives beside her father being a head of a house full of pompous assholes. I'll give her a shot and see what it is she's really after, then I'll proceed from there.'

"Naruto and Hinata," said Daichi, while placing a hand on both young shinobi, "I shall explain all to you in the morning, but for now we, and by we I mean me and Naruto, must be getting home."

Naruto snorted at the notion, not believing the arrogance the man possessed. "You just show up out of nowhere, claiming to be my cousin, and now your inviting yourself over?" Naruto didn't mean to sound so pissed off, but this was getting out of hand.

"Nonsense," Daichi scoffed, "that place doesn't suit my taste. We will be going to my old home near the outskirts of downtown Konohagakure, a three story house with all the stuff I'll need to convince both of you that I really am your family, Naruto. And also to feed the both of us, if your anything like me it'll take a while to fill you up," Daichi said with a chuckle. Naruto seemed to brighten up at the talk of staying somewhere else, but mostly at the fact that there was going to be food that wasn't going to cost him a dime.

"Wait!" Hinata said suddenly, "why am I in this. I really don't think it's any of my business and I don't wish to intrude." Hinata looked at the two men and sighed, she knew that she shouldn't have come out here. Now she was making it her business when it wasn't in the first place. Naruto looked at her with a bit of confusion, while Daichi just shook his head.

"You cared enough to come out here and find out what was going on then you must care enough to hear the whole tale. I'm not much of an early bird so well meet at the old training grounds just north of here." Hinata shook her head in silent agreement. "And Hinata," said Daichi, wanting her eyes to be locked with his so he knew she fully understood, "be ready to learn some unpleasant history."

Hinata was worried by the notion, but decided not to press the matter any longer. She gave a quick nod and one final glance at Naruto before heading back to her house.

Naruto stared in amazement at the house where they would be staying. It was nearly a mansion with the three stories it took off the ground and the décor surrounding the building. It was a bright red place with a seven foot tall iron gate all around it. Stone pillars held up the second story balcony, and the third story balcony was just built into the house with no visible support. Old trees and bushes lined the stone walkway that led up to the double mahogany doors with golden handles. Naruto sensed that there were also many seals and jutsu to protect the place from unwanted guests. He walked forward with caution and awe at the same time. Looking to his right, he saw Daichi had the same cautious pace as he did.

Daichi grinned at Naruto's stunned expression, remembering when he had first seen the building himself. The two of them walked to the seven foot tall gate and stopped. Naruto turned to Daichi expectantly, who returned his gaze with one of equal unknowing and shrugged.

"Don't tell me you don't know how to get in there," Naruto groaned.

"No," said Daichi with a grin, "I remember just fine, I was just messing with you. Now, let's see…how should I go about this?" Daichi stood puzzled for a few moments, scratching his chin in thought.

"I got it!" Daichi blurted out suddenly, then proceeded to open the gate and walked right inside the complex. Naruto flinched, knowing full well what jutsu are used to protect such buildings, he feared kunai and poison gas to be all around them by now. To his great surprise, nothing at all happened. No flames, knives, or even a single explosive scroll.

"What!" Naruto shouted in disbelief. "You mean to tell me that there are no jutsu or seals anywhere to protect this place?"

Daichi threw his head back and laughed. " I never said anything about jutsu or seals now did I?"

"But I felt them, and you were walking slowly just like I did, AND you even had to stop to think of how to disarm the place!"

"I didn't stop to think about disarming anything," Daichi laughed. "I was just wondering if when I swung the gate open I should yell 'BOOM'." Now Daichi was on the ground, laughing uncontrollably.

Naruto's mouth hung wide open in astonishment, he knew more about pranks then most people in the entire world did, and he didn't even see this one coming. He looked down at Daichi, who was still on the ground laughing his ass off, threw his head back, and did the same.

'Well,' Naruto thought to himself in disbelief, 'he has a sense of humor like me, that much is damn certain!'

TO BE CONTINUED…

Author's Notes: Well, that took me way too long to write. I've been spending this whole time thinking about where this story is going and for the longest time I couldn't figure it out. Now I'm pretty sure where I'm going with it and I should be putting chapters out more consistently. To all my faithful readers, I thank and love you all. I couldn't have done this without all the support. I shall hope to have the next installment out as soon as I possibly can. Until then, I'll be writing, the next installment of Light Within the Darknessis-All These Years…