Disclaimer: I do not own the anime series Naruto. I write these stories for the sole purpose of enjoyment and do not -under any circumstances- make a profit out of writing these Fan-Fics. Naruto belongs to Kishimoto Masashi.

Warning: Please be advised that this story contains graphic death scenes, drugs, violence, unsuitable language, homosexuality scenes, sex and other scenes that may be inappropriate for children under 18 years of age. The writer of this story will NOT be held responsible if a minor reads the following contents. Be aware that you disagreeing with any of the warnings will not change anything above. I repeat- This will NOT be negotiated. The story does Not follow the plot of Kishimoto Masashi.

Main pairing: NarutoxSasuke

Couples: NarutoxSasuke, NarutoxItachi, KyuubixSasuke, KibaxHinata, Mild FagakuxKushina, MinatoxKushina, PeinxKonan, FagakuxKonan, and KyuubixItachi, AsumaxKonan, FagakuxMikoto…Many more couples in future chapters.

Notes: This is set up during the early 1800's and is not based on Japan. The story begins with flashbacks for special reasons! If you have any questions about the story, feel free to ask me.

Sorry! I need a Beta...TT

Where The Savage's Heart Rest

Naruto rested on one of the many rocks near the shoreline, a small frown marred his face. He wasn't very far of the cave he lived in. Yes, he lived in a cave with his father. Wasn't much, but it had plenty of room to spare. It even came with fresh water. A very good deal he might add.

He heard that one of the Uchiha's died a few weeks ago. He couldn't feel bad for them if he tried. Not that he would try. On the contrary to the Uchiha's, many of the town's people celebrated. He heard many comments on their behalf. Some comments were similar in ways that they all sounded the same.

"Those good for nothing Uchiha's deserved it-" Or "One less Uchiha. One more coin for me-"

Sure, he was no one to judge. But he heard stories about the Uchiha's. He also knew he was- in a way- related to them.

His father once mentioned there named in his sleep. He asked his father about it, but he wouldn't talk. His lips curled into a thin line and shot Naruto a glare, "The Uchiha's are nothing but trouble. Stay away from them. I mean it boy. Now come here. Food's getting cold."

He complied but wasn't giving up. A few days later he asked his father about the Uchiha family. He ignored him and continued with his work.

"Um… dad," Naruto started, "Why do you hate the Uchiha's so much?"

"…"

"Dad?"

"…Let's go, I think we have enough tomatoes." Minato took the tomatoes and left Naruto gaping like an idiot.

Naruto sighed and rubbed his forehead. It took about another week to get the old man to talk. Which really, it wasn't much. According to his father's explanation, the Uchiha's weren't always… evil. Apparently, they were humane. His mother was married to an Uchiha. Fugaku Uchiha. Sadly, it ended in disaster.

Naruto stretched his legs and arms, a small yawn escaped his lips. What he didn't expect was to here one of the fisher man screaming his name. "Naruto, Naruto!" The man screamed. He stopped near the shore and took deep breaths. "Your father. Accident. Go boy, his waiting for you."

Naruto's eyes widen. He didn't need to be told twice. He ran as fast as he could. His legs were numb by the time reached the cave. There weren't many other than a few close friends of him and his father.

Shikamaru went up to him and handed some water, "Finally, we've been searching for your sorry ass for hours."

"Sorry to cut the conversation short," Naruto all but growled, "but where is he?"

Shikamaru sighed and sat down, "You can't see him right know-"

"What?"

"-The doctor's checking him. Let me tell ya' mate, don't know what happened. He was fine when I came, than I see him sprawled on the floor looking half dead."

Naruto frowned, but it was so subtle that it was hardly noticeable. Maybe taking a sit was the best option. He sat down on one of the crooked chairs and sloughed forward. "I can't believe this is happening. Wasn't ready, you know?"

Shikamaru sat down next to him and gently touched his shoulder.

Naruto was indifferent to the touch. "No one blames you for not being ready Naruto. No one's ever prepared. Ever." Shikamaru said.

Sasuke sat on his bed. Reading a book his father bought a couple days ago. He wasn't surprise at the sudden act of kindness. His father tried to keep him from thinking too much of his mother.

He sighed and closed the book. He didn't need to be treated like a baby. What he needed was time. He was seven 1/2 years old dammit! Almost eight years old. He didn't need people to watch over him like some delicate silverware.

"Itachi I'm bored. Let's go outside."

Itachi rolled over on the bed. "No it's humid," he said, rubbing his eyes, "We'll go tomorrow." He rolled over again and closed his eyes.

Sasuke pouted, "Come on! Give me a break. I need fresh air!" He said, dragging the words longer than necessary and making his point clear. "Itachi!"

He rolled over and stared long and hard at Sasuke, his lips curled into a thin line. Itachi sighed. He felt a headache come on any second. "We can't. Remember?"

Sasuke tilted his head. "What?"

Itachi scoffed. "Gypsies. Remember?"

Of course he wouldn't remember! He was too busy ogling a piece of tomato. What? Did Itachi really expect him to listen? "…Right," He smiled, playing with the tips of his bangs. "I remember. Gypsies and all. Could you…you know-refresh me on that one again?"

Itachi stared stupidly at Sasuke for second, "Father said to stay inside 'cause the gypsies are staying here for a few days. And he said that if we go outside alone they might kidnap one of us or even worse -both."

"Really?"

Itachi gave him a look that if-you-don't-believe-me-ask-him and continued. "If you want to go outside you'll have to ask father first and then get one of the grownups to come with us. And that's so much work." He rubbed his head at the mere thought of it.

Sasuke groaned. His father wasn't even here to give them permission. "Stupid gypsies." He glowered. "I'm getting a glass of water."

Itachi rolled over, already asleep and snoring occasionally. Some drool fell from his lips and stuck to his cheek but Sasuke didn't mind as long as Itachi cleaned it up when he woke up.

The first thing Naruto manage to do when he was confronted with his father was give him an immense hug.

The whole entire time, Naruto also had managed to sob out some words. "Don't do that again," he snuffled. "Ever."

Minato succumbed to Naruto and awkwardly patted Naruto on the back, not knowing what to do. "It's okay Naruto. It's okay."

Naruto sniffled again. He let go of Minato and shifted uncomfortably. For the first time he noticed how exhausted and worn-out his father truly looked. Age was truly catching up to him. He regretfully realized how lucky his father was. It would be a surprise if he made it through his 40's let alone 30's.

He sat next to him and asked, "Do you want something to drink?"

"No it's okay," Minato scratched the back of his head absent mindedly when stomach growled. He grinned, embarrassed that everything he ever did always seemed like a paradox, "Well, how 'bout bringing me some food?"

Naruto chuckled, "Sure thing," He got up and entered the 'kitchen' which consisted of rocks, wood, food and water. He immediately got to work.

Minato turned over for what seemed like the 10th time that hour. He snuggled closer to his blanket in a sad attempt to find a comfortable position. Surely there had to be a way to sleep. He looked at Naruto sullenly. The boy slept like he was unwitting of his surroundings.

His hand was getting numb so he raised his hand over his eyes and stretched his fingers. After a while of no success he stirred from his bed and got to his feet. The doctor said he wasn't supposed to stand up but god dammit he had to take a long piss!

After the 'job' was done, he went to get a glass of milk. He sat down and listened to the beads of rain, the lighting, and the slow ripples of the shore line. He wryly noticed that it was raining a lot the past few weeks.

"Dad," Naruto said. "You should be resting… like the doctor said."

"The rain brings back a lot of memories. Don't you think? Imagine. Sitting peacefully, hearing the rain fall down while drinking a nice cup of hot milk." Minato waved his hands, signaling Naruto to come sit near him. Naruto, a little curious, did as he was told.

"Yeah that really sounds nice. Did you do this often?" Naruto sat down, and then to drank some of the milk on his cup. He cringed and pushed the cup away from him. "We should buy milk more often too." he muttered.

"Uchiha's, huh?"

Naruto nodded. He knew where his father was going with this.

"The Uchiha's are a noble family. Why are you so interested in them?"

The younger blond shrugged. He wasn't about to say: You scream their name in your dream every night. "Just curious, that's all."

"You're mother was an Uchiha through marriage. She was known as Kushina Uchiha Uzumaki. Not Kushina Namikaze Uzumaki like you would expect."

Naruto bit the inside of his cheek. So his mother committed adultery and he was the bomb, the freaking surplus, of the action.

"What happened?"

"She was discovered. Her husband didn't want the news to spread and used every ounce of his power to cover it up. He announced she was pregnant with his child." He growled. His eyes stared hard into the cup. "He tracked me down and tried to kill me. He…" He stopped for a second and took a deep breath. "I mean the guys working for him through me of a cliff near the Valley Of End. I was lucky bastard let me tell you that. To survive that fall is a miracle itself. It took me months to be able to walk again."

Naruto was afraid of what to say. His father seemed to be letting all that anger bottled up.

"When I returned to Konoha, I was informed of Kushina's death and then yours. I didn't know what to do. Everyone else thought I was dead too. I saw my own grave-I saw my own people dig a grave for me… and all I could do was concealed myself away." Minato stopped, his intense look soften just a tad. "The Uchiha's are bad people. I have seen it with my own eyes. Fugaku Uchiha is the worse out of all of them. Stay away from him. You hear me boy?"

Naruto couldn't guarantee he wasn't. Something deep inside of him was boiling with rage, but he couldn't quite point it out. He now understood why people hated the Uchiha's so much. They were monsters in general. "I'll try but I can't guarantee you anything."

Minato stood up and put a firm hand on Naruto's shoulders. "Just promise me one thing."

Naruto nodded, "Whatever you want."

"If one day they realize your true identity, I want you to claim what is rightfully yours." Minato explained with a resolution that made Naruto's back tense. "But if it you have to risk your life, then don't do it. Can you promise me that?"

Minato, Naruto decided, didn't have to fret over him. He was not going to meet the Uchiha's. EVER. However, a question did pop into his head, "Why are telling me all of this? I thought you didn't want to speak about it?"

Minato dwelled on his questioned for nearly a minute. His days were getting shorter and Naruto had every right to know who his family was, even if they were known as a malicious, spoiled and obnoxious family. "Just promise me." That's all he wanted to know.

"I don't have the proper educa-"

Minato cut him off. "It doesn't matter. I'll get you one." He took out a silver box and reached for his pocket and got a silver key. He opened it to reveal a huge amount of money and a small wrinkly-brown bag.

Naruto's eyes bulge right out. "Where did you get that?" He never had seen so much money in one ingle place.

"Believe it or not, I have I've collected money over the years."

"I can't take this. You worked too hard to get this money and-"

Minato shut him up again. "It's okay. Huh, I-I don't know how to say this…" He sat back down and closed the box. "I'm sick. I'm dying. You need someone to take care of you." He Trailed off. His voice was getting thicker and thicker and almost impossible to speak.

"No dad. You're not sick. You just haven't eaten enough and so you-you fainted. You're not sick." Naruto stood up and went over to his dad. "Keep the money. You are not sick." He almost sounded like he was trying to convince himself. Surely, he was but he wasn't going to admit to that.

"A few days ago I bumped into an old friend." He mentioned, trying to change the subject. "I wasn't very surprise when I saw him, he didn't change a bit." He chuckled wryly. "He's a wealthy man Naruto. And I took the opportunity to ask him to take you in as your tutor. His name is Asuma Sarutobi. He was happy enough to do so."

He left out some parts. Like the time Asuma almost had a heart attack seeing him. Or the part where he told him that Naruto was also alive and he had to keep it a secret. To say the slightest, it was thoroughly humorous and bloodcurdling.

"What?" Naruto should've stayed asleep. He shouldn't have woken up- it was a stupid, stupid idea. Next time, if he ever gets the idea to wake up in the middle of the night with a brooding/sick dad, he will make sure to hit himself with a bat on the head. "When did you plan this? No, as a matter of fact, can you slow down? You're going too fast for me here."

Minato cleared his throat, and crossed his arms. "Naruto I'm sick. You need someone to take care of you. You need an education. A safe home. I don't want you to suffer because they," By 'they' he meant Uchiha's. "-took away your rights."

"But what about you?" Naruto shot.

"Don't worry about me. I can figure that out myself. I know this may seem a little-"

"A little?" Naruto screeched.

"-rushed, but I have been planning this for several days. Promise Naruto you will do as I say or at least try."

Naruto stayed silent. His head was spinning at a thousand miles per hour. That was the reason his dad was avoiding him, because he didn't know how to tell him he was sending him away to some unknown rich and snotty guy. His face scrunched up in mild annoyance. Minato should have told him from the very beginning. "I promise. But it doesn't make any sense. You want me to go to a rich guy's house to be tutored. And you want me to avoid the Uchiha's. That's going to be difficult."

"Well," Minato started. "I explained your special situation to Asuma and we both agreed that you will be known as Naruto Sasaki. He's a great man Naruto so don't mess this up."

"But what if-"

Minato put a finger against Naruto's lips. "I don't want any but's or what if's."

Naruto pouted. "When do I start?"

7 days later.

"You look just like your father Naruto." Asuma looked at Naruto with a small smile gracing his face. He didn't believe it at first, but there standing right in front of him was Naruto Namikaze Uzumaki. His heart clenched and unclenched.

Naruto jumped. He looked confused for second before smiling. He figured this was the famous Asuma his father must have been talking about. Naruto raised his hand, "You must be Asuma. It's an honor to meet you sir. Uh, and thanks, a lot of people tell me that."

Asuma gladly accepted his hand and hauled the smiling blond into a hug. "No need for formalities within the family. I'm just pleased to see you're okay."

Naruto eyes widen. Asuma had integrity, he'd give him that. Maybe, the old man wasn't going to be as bad as he had thought he would be, just maybe. "I think we should…" Naruto said pointing towards the small bag of clothes.

"Ah, yes. I almost forgot. Once you're settled in, I'll introduce you to the family." He fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a cigar. "You want one?"

Naruto looked at it for a second. There was nothing special about it. It was a stick that you burned to feel good or at least that was what he thought. He had seen his father smoke once or twice before but he never asked him if he wanted to try. "Um, smoking never was my forte."

Asuma inhaled the flavorful stick for a moment. "It's okay, there's no need to rush. Come on, let get you inside."

Naruto followed. His finger fiddled with each other for a while. He poked his head around every corner of the mansion and he was not shocked. It was what he expected: A huge house with every luxury needed to be spoiled.

"Where will I sleep?" He sounded calm and cool but he was irked. Most of the servants were eyeing him suspiciously, mumbling and shushing each other. That kind of thing infuriated him but he'd be damn if they knew they were getting to him.

"Second floor. Walk right and then make a left on the first corner. It's the third room to your right. If you need any help you can ask any of the maids." Asuma smiled, trying to ease the tension in the room. He would have to speak to the maids. How troublesome, he thought.

To Naruto's surprise, his room wasn't what he expected. It was lively flourished in a sea of handmade drapes and light exotic colors that range from cinnamon red to mahogany wood. "This is my room? No, must be in the wrong one."

"No, this is your room." Naruto's head shot to his right at the squeaky voice, hand near his heart and eyes wide.

"And you are?" Naruto asked, inspecting the red haired kid.

"Kyuubi Sarutobi and you must be…"

Naruto blinked and pointed a finger at himself. "Oh, me? My name is Naruto U- Sasaki nice to meet you Kyuubi." He sounded so lame. He hoped that Kyuubi was kind enough to overlook that.

Cause' that would be a real bummer.

"Yeah," Kyuubi bristled away, "how old are you?"

Naruto sat down, feeling that his legs were getting numb. "Just turned 14," Curiosity getting the better of him, he asked, "why the sudden question?"

"Wow," Kyuubi whispered, ignoring Naruto's question. "Want to be my brother?"

Naruto pointed to himself again. He debated this for a while. He momentarily looked at Kyuubi, and saw the serious red blazing eyes. "What's in it for me?"

"Lots of things… and plus, I'm fed up of having nothing to do."

"What happens if you get bored of me?" Naruto said to the kid. It was probably a mean thing to do, but he enjoyed teasing the red-head.

"Come on! Please?"

The blond couldn't help himself anymore. He grinned side to side, happy and ecstatic to have a friend on his first day in the Sarutobi mansion. "I'm just joking. I'll be your big brother! We'll have lots of fun."

Kyuubi ran over to him, almost tripping over a piece of the rug on the floor, with one of his rare smiles. "Let's play."

Naruto looked at the bag in his hand. He would unpack later. And on top of that, he barely had any clothes so it would only take him a few minutes to unpack. He smile and stood up. "Ok, but you have to first show me around the mansion." He said earnestly. '

Kyuubi pulled him towards the door, a small smile gracing his face. "Come on. We'll have so much fun…and it'll be awesome when you meet my best friend Sasuke!"

Naruto grinned and let the little boy lead the way. It was going to be a long day...

It was dinner and Naruto considered himself completely inapt. He smiled, heart racing. Asuma and Kyuubi smiled back utterly unaware of the tension that was going on between Konan and Naruto.

"Is…is this the boy of which you spoke of a week ago?" Konan fiddled with the spoon on her hand, tempted to thrown it at the blond boy sitting across from her.

Asuma's smile suddenly dropped. "Yes, I'm going to tutor him to become a fine gentleman." He turned to Naruto and said, "Isn't that right Naruto?" He saw the blond wearing the clothes he gave him and felt relieve the blond didn't pushed them away. Lord knows what Konan would have done if he saw what the boy was wearing when he came in.

"Naruto's your name?" Konan asked, tension crashing through her like waves. Everyone could see it, hear it.

"Yes ma'am, name's Naruto Sasaki." Naruto took a large piece of chicken in his mouth, trying to avoid anymore conversation with the head mistress. It was almost painful watching her look at him.

"Hn, Naruto…a rare name. Who gave it to you?"

"Well, yeah I guess it's a rare name. I'm not sure who gave it to me." Now that he thought about it, Jiraiya never told him how he named him. Jiraiya also didn't know anything about his past. He guessed the jackass who left him abandoned left a note of some sort.

"I'm not sure why it doesn't surprise me. I heard that… underprivileged children prance around with no names and go around with whatever names some random person gives out to them since they have no way of identifying themselves."

Asuma's fist slammed the table, anger evident. "Konan, that's enough."

Konan lips curled into a distasteful snarl. Her face was hard as stone when she met Asuma own cold stare. "Hn," She said.

Naruto stayed silent. He was stupid. Stupid, stupid him. Did he really start to think it would be easy, that he could just come in and be seen by these nobles as an equal? What a stupid assumption. Of course someone was going to always put him in his place. "Excuse me. I-I don't feel well."

Once the blond was out of sight Konan took a deep breath. "What were you thinking? He's-he's a nuisance. I want him-"

"Konan…can we talk about this later. Kyuubi can pass me the salt?"

Darkness…it was so frightening. She learned to love it though. It was safe place for her troubled mind. It was so cold too. It was always cold.

She looked out the window, a small hole actually. It was just a dim ray of light, nothing to be awed about. But to her it was hope, a fine piece of fragile hope.

Where are you?

She held her hands together, seemingly unaware of the world before her. The mask she wore reflected the moon and it's sea of shining stars.

My baby cries. I want to hold him against my chest and rock him to sleep. I want to sing to him. I want to see his eyes open.

She turned around and grabbed the rag doll.

Would it be green or blue?

2 week later.

Naruto basically threw himself on the bed. He was exhausted to the point where all his muscles hurt. Asuma was literally not giving him a chance for a breather. Every time he asked for a break Asuma would go into 'lecture mode' and drain him with that alone.

Kyuubi didn't help at all either. Little traitor. He would laugh and say "Sorry but I promised Sasuke I would go to his house."

He sighed under his pillow. He never met this so called 'Sasuke' but Kyuubi talked about him so much that he practically knew this kid.

"Arg," He groaned, his stomach growled.

"Can I come in?" He looked up tiredly and saw Asuma. He sat down and crossed his legs in a manly fashion.

"You already did. So yeah, welcome. You reek of cigarettes again. I think I'll never get use to that."

Asuma smirked. "Speak for yourself and don't worry…" He said taking a big swig, "You'll get use to it."

Naruto chuckled.

"By the way, I just came to inform you the Uchiha's are coming today."

Naruto muscled tensed instantly. The Uchiha's? He remembered, his father warned him about them. Geeze, he never thought that he would meet them so soon. He wasn't ready to be near them. It was clear enough, that they didn't want him near either. "Do I have to really meet them?"

Asuma seemed surprised. It was the first time that Naruto refused to see one of the nobles. "Sorry Naruto but it would be rude. It would be a disgrace not to show up. Besides, they won't know you're and Namikaze or an Uzumaki."

Naruto cursed silently. He was right. He was fucking right. He grunted, with a sour taste.

"Take a shower lad. The maids left some clothes spread for you. Choose whatever you want, try to tame that hair of yours and I want to see you in a few hours." He opened the door. "Oh, and you father gave his best regards to you."

Naruto threw his pillow at the door, but Asuma managed to leave just in the nick of time. He smiled, at least his father remembered him.

To Be Continued...

Authors Note: This was going to be longer but then I realized I was going to write the whole story if I didn't stop here.

Also Note: The first 4 chapters are flashbacks. Next chapter will be the last flashback.

I wrote this in a rush. If I made any kind of mistake then don't hesitate to tell me. Literally.

Please R&R