Sapphire09: Thanks for the review! All of it are really appreciated ^^
Warning: Sorry for any grammar mistakes :)
To answer your questions (from review chapter 1 & 2): Read the the note at the very bottom
CHAPTER II
Forbidden Scroll
Night passes and morning came. Sparkling blue eyes blinked open as the sun is rising from the horizon. The owner soon smiled mischievously as the sunlight shines through the window. Such a good day to extract the plan…
"Yo, Mizuki-san!" a man voce called the white-haired instructor from behind. Mizuki turns towards the voice.
"Takeno-san. Is there something I can do for you?" he asked half-heartedly. Matsurui Takeno, like himself, is known for his passionate hate towards a certain Kyuubi-brat. Of course, he will be lying if he said he didn't hate the brat, but that doesn't mean they're the best of friend. But, they're still comrades in plotting against the brat or in working together to keep their image in front of the Kyuubi-lovers such as the Sandaime Hokage.
"It's just that I have an idea," he began. His dark brown eyes are glinting with mischief. "The graduation exam is today, and this time the ones that will graduate is Iruka's class., which means, it's also the Kyuubi brat's class. And, since you're the assistant in that class, the children will unmistakably believes you, am I right?"
Mizuki narrowed his eyes in interest. "So?" he urged him to continue. Takeno scoffed.
"So, that boy, that filthy brat, absolutely won't pass. You know as well as I do about his ambition. His stubborn attitude will make him do anything to become a Hokage -in other words- to pass the Genin exam and becomes a ninja. We can trick him to do our bidding, even the most ridiculous one, and he will do it just like that. We can use his ambition as bait," Takeno explained.
Truth to be told, Mizuki is very interested in the plan, and he already decided on what he must say and also the target. But, that thing must be done by him, since no matter what; Takeno is still a loyal Konoha shinobi.
"Sorry, Takeno-san. I don't really think that's going to work. That brat has Iruka, and probably he'll pass him anyway. Now, excuse me, the time is almost up. Just forget we ever have this conversation," Mizuki said as he sighed and turn his back towards Takeno and began to walk away, smirking.
He never realizes that Takeno also smiled devilishly and stare at him with those mischievous eyes.
"Phase 1: Completed," he muttered as he suddenly disappeared in a blink of an eye. Just before he disappears, a flash of foxy grin can be seen.
Mizuki filed out the graduation forms and smiled kindly to the students as they hastily grabbed the forms with their grubby little fingers. When the last of the yelling graduates run yelling out the door his lip curled up in a sneer. Did the little idiots really think it would be that easy to graduate? Apparently so, he mused darkly as he heard the many congratulations and praises from the civilian parents. He smirked as he watched from the window, wait until they find their 'genius' children back in the academy after suffering a humiliating fail from the Jounin instructors. His eyes moved past the happily squealing graduates until they rested upon the lone Uzumaki Naruto. This is the perfect opportunity.
It is time to move.
He slid his fingers into a half seal and left in a swirl of leaves.
Naruto sat on the swing in front of the academy. He watch as students who passed got their self praises from their parents. How he always wanted those things….
'No matter… I have Akatsuki now. I also have Teuchi ojii-san, Ayame nee-chan, and Sandaime ojii-chan. They're my family…' he thinks. Besides, he knows that somewhere, up there, his parents are watching over him. He then smiled inwardly. 'Yeah… I can only hope that they'll understand my reasons of doing this.'
He closed his eyes calmly when Iruka-sensei walked out of the doors to congratulate and chat with the happy parents. 'Iruka…'
When Iruka had become aware of him, he had thought perhaps there was another person who had began to notice him for who he really was. But, he didn't want to put his hopes hight. After all, he was supposed to be the dead last. Who would acknowledge a prankster who couldn't, after three exams, pass a simple test? But, if he do, that means...
'Maybe I should find out about his feelings towards the 'Kyuubi-brat'. Who knows, maybe he's no different than two-faced snake.'
He pulled his goggles out from his back pouch and slipped it onto his head. He then felt the presence that he has been waiting for. He smirked inwardly.
"Naruto."
The kind voice he used makes him sick. He pretended to jerked in surprise. The instructor attempt to surprise him failed even without trying. He turned and stared at the smiling face of Mizuki. He put on his hesitant smile and followed the teacher away from the academy. He smirked mischievously inside his head and keeping his stupid appearance in check.
'Phase 2: Ongoing.'
The shadow of a boy and a young adult cast on the ground as they sat atop of a platform. Naruto hugged his knees as he watch the sunset in front of him with an indifference expression. 'This will be going even better than I thought…' Naruto smirked inwardly.
Mizuki swung his legs over the edge while he leaned back and supported his body with his hands. The wind caressed his hair as it waved gently finishing the painting of peace and almost sage understanding for the boy beside him. Smiling in an almost sympathetic way at Naruto he faced the saddened boy with a turned head.
"Iruka wasn't being mean to you Naruto."
"Then-Then why does he pick on me the most...?" Naruto tried to make his voice small and confused. Mizuki turned away and stared up at the sunset.
"He wants you to become truly strong Naruto-kun." He paused before he continued when Naruto lifted his head, "Since both of you don't have any parents"
"But...I wanted to graduate." He pressed his head into his hands, "I really did try my best. I tried my best…"
Mizuki glanced at him from the corner of his eyes, "Fine."
"What?"
"I'll tell you a big secret."
'The exact line that I wanted to hear.' He almost let his mask slipped out of the pleasure he felt when he realized just how stupid the person in front of him is.
Hinata walks in to the compound and find Neji nearby with his back facing her. Unexpectedly, their eyes met when Neji is turning around. Just as expected, he gives her the cold look when he saw her.
"N-Neji nii-san," she greeted. "Hinata-sama," he replied indifferently as he walks away from her. Hinata can only sigh after Neji passes her. She can only looks back to see his disappearing back.
'Maybe I should go the hideout tonight. Wonder if Nami-chan managed to do her plan…'
After Mizuki told him the traps and about other things that he should aware of, he went to the Tower and soon he got the scroll. After he has the scroll, he stops by a clearing and began copying it. He left out the jutsu that draining the life energy of the user and the jutsu that he knew already. With that, phase 2 of his plan is done
When he's done, he felt few chakra presences. One of them, he knew it Iruka's chakra. The rest are probably the security ninja. He realized that maybe it's the right time to do the additional plan. He needs to know, whether Iruka's feeling toward him is true or not? Is he truly seeing him as himself? When Iruka's chakra presence is coming closer, he can feel that the other presences left. Phase 1 of her additional plan will begin.
Naruto then put on an innocent and exhausted face by using a seal to drain his chakra. Panting he closed his eyes when he heard twigs snap and the steady beat of someone's footfalls before a familiar shadow was cast in front of him. Expectant blue eyes looked up revealing an irritated and harassed looking Iruka.
"Oi! Naruto!" Said teacher turned his head as he visibly twitched with the effort to not beat the student atop his head. "Huh?" he straightened up and observed the worn down and beaten looking student.
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly, "Eh heh, heh," Naruto stood up and faced the Chunin, "Oh man, I got caught. I only learned one technique!" Naruto said. There is one of his favorite that he sees in there. Kage bunshin no Jutsu. He already learned it from Kyuubi, so it was one of the jutsu he didn't copy. Iruka raised an eyebrow and placed his hands over his hips.
'He trained here until he was worn out?'
Seeing that Iruka didn't yell at him like he thought at first, he then pretends to misunderstand. He pretends to assume that Iruka knew about the 'secret test', which he knew absolutely not. But, hey. He has to play the part where he was the one that tricked.
"Ano sa! Ano sa! I'm going to show you a great technique! So let me graduate if I can do it!" He began to flail his arms in his excitement, "If I show you a technique from this scroll I can graduate right?" Irukas eyes widened in surprise, "Who said that?"
He keeps on the act and yelled out continuing his 'happy outburst'.
"Mizuki-sensei said so!" He turned around and pointed to the scroll slung across his back, "He told me about this scroll and this place! Mizuki-sensei..." He trailed off for a moment when he saw Irukas shocked look, "Uhmm... Iruka-sensei?"
'Mizuki did?!' he spun around and knocked Naruto sending him back as a kunai rained down from their shadowed assailant. Sliding back from the force of the blow Iruka stood pinned against a tree.
"I'm surprised you found us." A recognizable voice called out as Iruka struggled. Opening his eyes from their clenched position he grimaced, "I see, so that's how it is, Mizuki."
"Heh," Mizuki stood clad in his battle outfit atop one of the branches of a towering tree. Tilting his head he watched the 'stunned' Naruto out of the corner of his eyes, "Naruto, hand me over the scroll."
'Yeah, right. Like I'm planning on to give you the scroll, anyway,' he thinks inwardly. Outside, he just said, "Hey, what's going on here?" Naruto's voice wavered uncertainty shifting his gaze in between his two teachers. He's still acting and he is trying to look as natural as possible. He didn't expect Mizuki to attack Iruka, but it was still in plan.
Iruka gasped for air before fisting the Kunai buried in his thigh. Gritting his teeth he pulled it out with a wince and threw it to the ground, "Don't let him get that scroll Naruto!" He spat out the blood gathered in his mouth as some of it dribbled down his chin, "That scroll you're holding is dangerous; it's filled with forbidden techniques! You mustn't let Mizuki get it no matter what!" sweat trickled down his temples, "He used you so he could get a hold of it!" Naruto widened his eyes.
'I wonder what will happen if he knew that it's actually otherwise?' he thinks. Mizuki smirked at Naruto's reaction (he widening his eyes). Not knowing that they all like a marionette played on a drama, all controlled by him.
"Naruto, Iruka is afraid of you possessing that scroll." He pointed to it before turning his hand around as if he were lecturing Naruto in the academy. "What?" Naruto stared at Iruka in confusion.
'This guy here really needs a good kick on his ass. Mizuki even use Iruka! Ooh, I'll enjoy kicking and punching him into death,' Naruto disgusted at Mizuki's statement. Please, like he would believe that! He knew that Iruka isn't like that. Okay, maybe he's not actually trusting Iruka fully, but he still knew Iruka will never do that,...right?
"What are you saying Mizuki?!" Iruka twisted his head around, "Don't believe him Naruto!" He tried to sound reassuring but it came out as a painful gasp. Mizuki laughed.
"I'll tell you the truth,"
"Don't!" Mizuki leaned onto his knee ignoring Iruka while he sneered down at Naruto,
"A rule was created after the incident that occurred 12 years ago." He raised his voice over Iruka's protests, "A rule that only you, Naruto, cannot find out about!"
Naruto then felt anger rushed to his entire system. He knew where this is going, and he didn't like it. But, he has to keep up on his act, so he said, "Only me? What's the rule?"
"Stop, Mizuki!"
"It's the rule to not say that Naruto is the Kyuubi no Yōko."
"What?" Naruto said in a disbelieving voice.
"In other words you idiot, you are the Demon Fox that killed Iruka"s parents and destroyed our Village! You are the Kyuubi!"
Okay, she (A/n: she in this paragraph is Minami. If you're confused) didn't like it. She didn't like it at all. Maybe if Mizuki use other words, like the Demon Fox is sealed, or maybe trapped in her body, she will be more like it. But, the way Mizuki said it was like to tell her that she is the demon fox itself! Even the Kyuubi growled in her, feeling insulted. 'How dare they to use my title? How dare them!' Kyuubi thinks. Even if she has to take away her pride, the Kyuubi preferred to the thought that she is sealed in, not being her! Even though in the same body, they're still individuals!
Even though she didn't like the way Mizuki told her who she was, she has to keep on pretending. Making trembling voice, he whispered out feebly, "All of it makes sense..."
"STOP!"
Mizuki smiled at Narutos painful reaction. Relishing the moment he continued, "You've been deceived by the village people all this time! Didn't you think it was weird that everyone hated you so much?" This is it. Mizuki is going to pass on her boiling point. "No one is ever going to recognize you! Even Iruka Hates you!" Mizuki yelled again.
"Die, Naruto!" Irukas eyes snapped open as Mizuki threw one of the Fuuma Shuriken at the unprotected student.
"Ah!" Well, she actually could dodge that, easily. But she wanted to see Iruka's reaction. After hears what Mizuki said, she begun to doubt her trust towards Iruka. Naruto then back tracked and fell on his rear.
"Naruto, get down!"
Naruto obeyed immediately and covered his head as he curled up into a ball. He heard the thump of something jumping in front of him followed by an organic crunch and a painful exhale. He twisted his head around as blood splattered onto his face. "Iruka-sensei," he trembled. Minami didn't actually expect Iruka to do this. Warning her, yes. Pulling her, yes. Even to let her die! But to do something that might be able to cost him his life? She didn't think that far. "W-Why...?" Irukas eyes shadowed as he trembled with the effort to stat aloft.
"B-Because you're the same as me," He coughed up more blood. "After my parents died no one complimented me, or recognized me. Being the bad student I was I screwed up a lot during class...Because I wanted to get everyone's attention, I couldn't get anyone's attention as a good student. So I acted like an idiot." His eyes began to tear up. "It was tough..." His voice began to crack as his tears dropped onto Narutos face, "Right, Naruto? You were lonely, right? It was tough, right?" Naruto shifted away from Iruka frightened by the emotional flood. "I'm sorry, Naruto. You didn't need to feel that way if only I was more aware."
"HA! Don't make me laugh! Iruka hated you ever since you killed his parents!" Mizuki pointed accusingly, "He just wants to get that scroll back!"
Feeling overwhelmed Naruto sent Iruka a betrayed look before he dashed away.
"Naruto!" Iruka gritted his teeth,
"Heheh, Naruto isn't one to change his mind. He's going to take revenge on the village with that scroll." Mizuki jumped down from his perch and took on a smug posture, "You saw his eyes right? Those are the eyes of the Demon Fox."
Iruka pulled the Fuuma Shuriken out of his back with a grunt, "Naruto, won't do that..." He turned around laboriously and flung the huge weapon at Mizuki, "He's not that type of person!"
Naruto ran, but still trying to hear their conversation. Iruka said he was the same as him but Mizuki had said he had killed Iruka's parents. He was confused. His emotions whirled inside of him like a tornado; he didn't know who to believe. Demon fox, he was the demon fox, the people see him like that, so how could Iruka care for him? Is he really caring for him, like Hinata and the Sandaime did? He didn't know, and afraid to know. He had put so much trust already for the brunette chuunin, since he protected him from that giant shuriken that Mizuki threw.
'What's wrong with me? This is not me at all! I'm the one in control here! Until earlier, I had everything calculated… but…'
"Naruto! Where are you?" He gasped recognizing Irukas voice and quickly jumped to the forest floor hiding behind one of the largest trees. Grabbing the scroll he blur in the shadow on the tree, trying to hide from the two teachers. He concentrates as he listened to the sounds of struggle before hearing two thumps.
"Naruto, how did you know I wasn't Iruka?" The voice warped mid-sentence. 'Henge no Jutsu...' he realized before his attention was diverted as he heard another voice.
"Heh, I'm Iruka." Naruto turned around peeking from his hiding place.
"I see," Mizuki stood and questioned the weaker Chunin. "What good is there protecting the one who killed your parents?" Iruka spat the excess blood in his mouth onto the floor.
"I'm not going to let an idiot like you get a hold of that scroll."
"You're the idiot; Naruto is the same as me." Iruka glared at the white haired ninja when he echoed what he had said to Naruto.
"The same as you?"
"With that scroll, there isn't anything that isn't possible. There's no way that Naruto the Kyuubi won't use its power!"
"Yeah you're right." Mizuki smiled smugly.
Naruto shut his eyes as he feels something stings under his eyes, 'So, it looks like the plan will be done after all. Iruka doesn't recognize me inside!'
"If He was the Demon fox," Iruka leaned back onto the tree as his body trembled. Naruto's eyes widened slightly and started to listen again, "But Naruto is different. He is... He's an excellent student that I recognize," he smiled sadly. "He's hardworking, earnest, but clumsy and no one recognizes him. He knows the pain of others too. He's not a Monster Fox; he's Uzumaki Naruto of Konoha!"
Narutos eyes widened as he heard that sentence. Turning he poked his head out from his hiding spot as he peeked from behind the tree. Mizuki eyes twitched in disbelief hearing Iruka's overly emotional and corny speech. Smirking he undid the last Fuuma Shuriken and laughed.
"Iruka, I said I would kill you later, but I changed my mind. Die Now!"
Narutos Eyes widened as he watched the spinning weapon approach the limp Iruka. 'Okay, testing time is over. Now is phase 2 of my additional plan! SAVE IRUKA!' Naruto thinks as he kicked the offender away from his path sending the spinning shuriken away. Naruto stood in front of the amazed Iruka with his head bowed down and his golden hair shadowed his eyes.
"I won't let you touch Iruka-sensei, you good for nothing two-faced damn bastard!" he yelled, making Iruka startled. He never had seen him this kind of state.
Naruto then continue, "If you dare to...," he stopped, hanging the last part as he put the scroll near a limp Iruka, then continue again, "I'm more than glad to kill you," he said. The killer intent that surrounded him making Mizuki shivered, unknowingly. Even Iruka felt a shiver through out his veins, and it's safe to say that he was shocked by that. Naruto then jumped into the air, preparing for a kick.
"Damned fox!" he grabbed the still air-born leg and swung the student away from him. Naruto then landed gracefully on his feet.
"You could never beat me! I'm a chuunin and you're not even a genin! What makes you think you could beat me?!" he yelled. Naruto just stare at him emotionlessly, before give him a smirk.
Before he charges into Mizuki, he whispered to the brown-haired chuunin.
'Promise me that anything that you're about to see won't leak out from this place,' he whispered softly. Iruka is shocked to hear the sudden notice. He then voiced his answer out loud. "I... promise..."
Naruto release her henge and turns back into Minami. Iruka and Mizuki blinked in surprise at that. Suddenly, she disappeared.
Suddenly, she reappeared from behind Mizuki. "Illusion: Arrival of the Yukionna," she whispered right at his ear. He can feel her cold breath against his neck. He intentionally shivered and his mind blanked. When he realized what's happening, he can only see white.
As far as he can see, he only see snows, with three silver moons decorating the sky. Snow falls down along with the winds. He knows that he's in a genjutsu, but he can't bring himself to think rationally.
'It's so… beautiful'
"Enjoy the beauty. It'll be your last," Minami's voice echoed. He heard it, but he lose all of his senses. He's too distracted by the beauty. Not long, there's a woman with long silvery hair and pure white kimono, appeared from behind him.
She has the beauty that no human can have. He was enchanted by her beautiful silvery blue eyes and luscious red lips to think about anything else. He only watched in blank mind as she stretched her hand and reach for him.
He can only scream as the woman reaches for his chest and pulls out his heart with her hands.
"AAARRGGGGHHHH!!!!"
Iruka and Minami only watch him as he screamed in pain as he gripped his chest. Iruka was confused at first. After Naruto-no, she whispered something to Mizuki, his facial expression that once in surprised state, suddenly turned to one that is in bliss and... blank. But then, suddenly he screamed loudly and gripping his chest in pain. He can only watch in confusion and... pity.
'Although it's an illusion, the pain that the victim has is equal to the pain when someone is trying to crush your heart,' Minami thinks in her head as she watches him indifferently.
His screams died down when he falls down and his eyes turned white, unconscious. 'Better than died, I guess…'
"N-Naruto..." Iruka had watched the whole exchanged personality, gender and the technique with wide disbelieving eyes. Minami stood and turned around facing the frozen teacher.
"What... What happened? Wha..."
"I'm sorry, Iruka-sensei. It's my entire fault. I shouldn't have taking that scroll, I shouldn't let Mizuki-sensei tricked me. I'm sorry, Iruka-sensei," Minami cut it fast. She didn't want Iruka to ask about it. Not now. When she looked up, he sees that Iruka's face is still in shock. Then, she added more, "I'm sorry... Please, please don't hate me. I... I'm not a demon..." she said with a hint of tears coming down. She didn't want to lose Iruka's trust, not now.
Irukas eyes softened and he relaxed. Placing his hand onto of Minami's head he ignored the flinch and ruffled her hair, "I don't hate you Naruto." He undid his Forehead protector and placed it onto Minami's forehead, "Congratulations Naruto, you graduate."
"Iruka-sensei?" Minami stared up at her teacher before she pitched forwards hugging the injured Chunin, "Thank you, thank you so much!"
Iruka laughed feeling his own tears slip out of his eyes, "But, you still have to explains about these all, Naruto," he said turning serious. But, seeing her saddened face, he decides to add more, "After I treat you ramen as celebration."
"Thank you so much!" The uncomfortable feeling didn't come this time, and she was glad. Minami smiled through her tears as she kicked her legs happily.
"Ow, ow, ow! Naruto take it easy! We're both injured here!"
"Because you're so kind, I think I'll tell you a little now," Minami said, releasing her grip from Iruka. Iruka then look at her curiously.
"This is my secret. My real name is Minami, Iruka-sensei. But, you still can call me Naruto. I... have to use henge since... everyone hates me," she explains. Iruka then understands what she means.
"You turn yourself into a boy, to protect your self," Iruka said in understanding. Minami nodded. "Do Hokage-sama knows about this matter?" Minami then grinned.
"Of course! He already knew a long time ago. Thankfully, the council didn't know. Right now, there are only five people that knew about my real gender in Konoha," Minami grins. Iruka then shows his curiosity. "Really? Who are they?"
"Hyuuga Hinata, the Sandaime Hokage, Teuchi-san, Ayame-chan, and you!" she said. "I can trust you, right? Iruka-sensei?" Minami asked. Iruka then nodded. "Sure. I promise I wouldn't tell anyone or anything if that matters," Iruka give her his words.
"Thanks! Now, aren't you going to treat me ramen?" Minami asked as she put on her henge again. Iruka, that already understands, just smiles and nodded. Iruka then grabs the Forbidden Scroll and Mizuki's unconscious body. Both of them then headed towards the Hokage tower, before headed to Naruto's favorite ramen stand. As they walk side by side, Minami can't help but to feel guilty.
'Gomenasai… Iruka-sensei… I lied so many times to you…'
Sapphire09: There! I practically copied and paste the scroll stealing part from my original version. Sorry if there are grammar mistakes that I left out... or didn't see... or I don't realize....
View my profile for more info on the original techniques ^^
Addition: By the way, if you're confused, Minami and Naruto is the same person. Please keep that in mind...
To answer your questions:
shade: As for pairing... It'll surely be SasuNaru.... As for Hinata, I'm still choosing between Itachi or Neji...
Some Reader: I'm glad that you like the previous version ^^I have no problem in reposting the original version, but I don't think I can repair the grammar there. I hope you'll be satisfied only by this version.
No, there won't be any lemon in this version. The only thing that's possible is kissing, and that's it.
As for Ayame, she won't have anything more than basic knowledge in martial arts, like Tae Kwon Do, or Kempo, or Aikido..., or something...
Yeah, I'm planning for her to learn it later. Before the chuunin exam, perhaps?
also kind of thinking that she is a bit overpowered, but all of her power that I gave her will be needed in future chapters. So... I hope you don't mind....
Nope, she can't control ice, neither to do telepathy. She'll be able to do all of it in the future, though. I just love ice-controlling ability...
She can sense Hanabi, but she is a caring sister, and she knew that Hanabi knows about her real self. So, she's so used to Hanabi's presence that she didn't actually pay any mind to it. ^^
The bow? Perhaps... I'm still deciding on how she'll use it effectively in her Juuken style. In my mind, her specialty is her accuracy and her flexibility. So, maybe the bow will be a better weapon for her than the previous sword?
Thank you! I'm glad that my grammar finally improved^^