Title: The Everlasting Sins
Rating: Rated T.
Pairings: Canon pairings for Naruto, along with slight NaruHina near the very end of the story.
Genre: Adventure.
Summary: A sin lasts forever, even if other things do not. Naruto's debilitating disease doesn't, nor does his hatred. His past, however, forever continues to follow him. Smart, powerful Naruto. Rewritten in collaboration with The Sin of Justice, the original author.
Regarding Q&A: Any questions regarding the story can be asked via PM or review to either me or The Sin of Justice.
Beta: N/A—Help wanted.
Warnings: Language, violence, and moderate blood/gore.
Category: Naruto and Fullmetal Alchemist crossover.
Uploaded: January 23rd, 2013
Key:
"Normal dialogue."
Thoughts—for everyone, including Bijū.
/Mental conversations./
Please note that Bijū cannot "speak" unless their host is inside of the seal, and please enjoy the story!
(Section Break)
/So,/ Kurama said, /what exactly will this treatment do?/
Edward grinned inwardly. "Well," he replied, "It'll pretty much make the kid's chakra system normal. He'll have to go through harder training if he desires to become a ninja."
/Recovery time?/
"A month, I expect," Ed answered. "If you have any chakra—I can't sense any, so I assume your chakra was sealed separately—then you could speed up the process."
The Kyūbi stayed silent for a moment. /Naruto doesn't know of your identity. I didn't tell him that I knew you./
"Oh?" Ed grinned. "I know you told him something, though. Probably related to the Rikodou Sennin, right?"
/Yeah,/ Kurama agreed. /You always predicted what I would do or had done. You can even speak to me while I am sealed away. How? You never told me./
"It's a secret, Kurama," Edward winked. "Besides, your host is waking up. I'm sure he's more curious how you speak to him than you are when I speak to you."
/Tch./
Naruto groaned, signifying them of his awakening. "Welcome back to reality, kid," Edward greeted. Naruto groaned again.
"Did you—?"
"Yup," Edward smirked. "So, would you like anything else? Power? Wealth? Perhaps revenge?"
"Um, no," Naruto said. "Actually, I was wondering if maybe you'd consider—"
"Me taking you on as a student?" Ed speculated.
Naruto looked at him in shock. "How did you—?"
"I'm immortal, kid," Edward retorted, looking at him from the corner of his eyes. "I've got the wisdom of hundreds of thousands of lives."
Naruto didn't notice him wince slightly as he said that.
"So?" Edward faced him while hunched over slightly, looking at him head-on with his hands on his knees, his lower half in a cross-legged position. "What do you have to offer in exchange?"
"Well, I—I don't really have anything right now," Naruto muttered, looking away ashamedly. Then he fiercely met Edward's eyes with his own. They were shining bright, like the sky or the ocean. "But I will!" he swore. "I promise!"
Edward looked at him for a long moment, staring. Naruto's will didn't waver in the slightest. Edward suddenly grinned like a madman. "Sure thing, kid."
Naruto's eye twitched slightly. "I'm not a kid!" he yelled.
Ed smirked slightly at the new development. "Then, how old are you?"
"I—I'm—" Naruto began, then stopped. "It doesn't matter! I'm old enough to not be a measly kid!"
"Are you really?" Ed grinned sadistically. "Prove it."
Naruto looked at him. "Fine," he said. "What do I do?"
"Well," Edward decided, "you're too weak to do anything currently. So you need to get stronger, kid."
"How do I do that?" Naruto asked. "It's not like the people in my village will let me do anything. I can't really go somewhere else, either, because of how much I resemble Minato."
"Minato?" Ed questioned. "The fourth Hokage?"
"Yeah," Naruto responded. "He's my father."
Ed stayed silent for a moment. "So," Edward said, "basically, you can't do much at home so you left to see me so you could do something. Then, you have nothing planned. You're hoping to become a student under me, I'm sure. Are you sure that's what you desire, Jinchūriki?"
Naruto bristled slightly at the use of the word. "I," he muttered, "want to get stronger."
"And?" Edward asked, looking down at him. "You're still weak from your condition. I could help, but what would you give me in exchange? I'm a greedy individual, and with pride to boot. Even if you one day had something, what would it be?"
Naruto looked at the short man uncertainly. "I have a position in Konohagakure of the Hokage's only son. Even if his daughter is stronger than me, I have some power and influence over the Yondaime's decisions. In other words," he summed up, "I can agree to come home for practically anything in the world. Name your price—I'll give it to you."
Ed looked slightly disappointed at the answer, but nodded his head. "I got it," he replied. "Say exactly what you desire and I'll do the same."
"I want training, to become someone who isn't weak and pathetic. I want to be strong, stronger than my father."
Edward looked at him, then lowered his head and smiled sardonically. "That must be nice, to have a dream that you can achieve."
"A dream you can achieve?" Naruto asked, confused. "You can't achieve yours?"
"No," Edward said, "I cannot."
"Why?" Naruto inquired. "What's your dream?"
"To die."
Naruto's eyes didn't leave his form for a long time.
(Section Break)
Minato folded his hands together and looked down at his desk. Naruto...
Over the past two days, his entire life had been thrown upside-down. From Natsuki's random outbursts of tears and his wife's depression, he still had to do his duties as Hokage. His mind wandered off to the morning when they discovered that his son had left.
"Natsuki, remember," his wife had reminded. "Naruto's probably very sad right now. He'll forgive us, though—we're his family."
"Y-yeah," his daughter had agreed. The Yondaime nodded with the two of them and pushed open the door to his room.
It was empty.
Stepping in, his wife began to look around. The closet, drawers, and shelves were all empty. The bed was made and everything was dusted. Natsuki's eyes began to water. "Where is he?" she asked.
"I-I'm sure he's here, Natsuki," his wife comforted. Minato wasn't so sure. Looking around, he noticed the note on the desk. What's this? he wondered.
Picking it up, he froze. It was a farewell, his mind vaguely noted. "Ku-kushina," he choked out, beckoning her to his side. She picked up the note and gasped.
"No," she gasped, letting the note fall through her fingers. Natsuki picked it up and spent a few minutes attempting to read the kanji used. When she finally did, she began crying.
"Shh," Minato requested, hugging his daughter. "We'll find him—he couldn't have gone far."
His daughter was still depressed, of course. The Academy seemed to have gotten hold of the information and rumours spread like wildfire.
"Have you heard? Natsuki had a twin brother!"
"I thought he went missing."
"He did!"
"Is that why Natsuki's been so depressed?"
"Probably."
Minato sighed. I should send out a search team, he decided. Perhaps the Inuzukas—they'd be quickest, no doubt. Can I spare any of them, though? Konoha's been really busy as of late.
"Lord Hokage?" a voice outside his door asked. "An envoy from Sunagakure is here."
Sunagakure? "Send them in."
He stiffened slightly when he saw the child with raccoon-like rings around his eyes.
(Section Break)
"Why can't you die?" Naruto asked, horrified. "What do you mean?"
Ed looked towards him. "I told you, didn't I?" he asked. "I said I was immortal."
/Kid,/ Kurama began, /this man is older than the Rikodou Sennin—I said that before, didn't I? I would imagine that outliving every single person you've ever met wouldn't be pleasant./
Naruto thought about what Kurama said, then answered. "So you can never die?"
"Never," Edward agreed. "I might tell you why one day, but for now, just learn that being immortal isn't a good thing."
"Why not?" Naruto questioned. "Living forever would be amazing! Nobody cares about me, so—"
Ed's eyes narrowed towards him. "Listen up, kid. I've seen all the wars, all the suffering, and all my precious people die. I've seen the sheer pain inflicted by enemies killing those precious to others. I've seen them go through their agony and wither away while I stay the same. I see them have children who will die in the same way. I've been through antagonising pain myself, but can it all end and I just die? No. I am in pain for eternity. I want to end it."
"Why, though?" Naruto demanded.
"All of my friends are dead. All of their children are dead. Their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and so on are all dead. My own—"
"Your own?"
Edward stopped when Naruto cut him off, not bothering to answer the question. "Everyone I've ever cared about is gone. If I had known better, I wouldn't have made the mistake I had, which caused me to be immortal. I—I never would have tried to attack Father one last time!"
"Father?" Naruto inquired. "Your own father?"
"No, he—" Edward paused, then stopped. "Never mind. You need rest. We can begin working on your rehabilitation tomorrow. For now, I need to seal off all presence of us. Your village will likely send out a search team soon."
"Does that mean you'll teach me?" Naruto asked, excited, forgetting about the situation.
"Did I ever say I wouldn't?"
Naruto never smiled broader in his life, even knowing that his new mentor was an immortal who detested living and wanted to die.
Don't worry, Naruto thought. If you train me to overcome my father, I'll definitely find a way for you to achieve your dream!
This kid's insane, Kurama thought. He managed to convince the man of legend to teach him by bringing up all the wrong subjects. What is Edward thinking...?
"And by the way, kid," Edward told him, "tell Kurama that I know what I'm doing."
Kurama humph-ed, not listening to Naruto speaking to him.
(Section Break)
"What business does Sunagakure have with Konohagakure?" Minato asked. The oldest of the group—Male, maybe thirty. Cloth covering half of his face. Well-statured, jōnin level, the Hokage noted—took a step forward.
"We're on orders directly from the Lord Kazekage," he explained, tone respectful. "The Lord Kazekage wishes to propose a stronger alliance. Currently, both Konohagakure and Sunagakure are not trusting of each other. The Lord Kazekage wishes to change that."
"And why was it required to send a team to tell me that?" the Yondaime inquired flatly. "That could easily have been sent in a letter."
"The Lord Kazekage was worried that you would turn down his offer unless it was shown that it was important enough for one of his strongest team of ninja be sent," the man replied.
The Hokage's eyes narrowed slightly. "This is one of your strongest teams?"
"Yes," he answered. "My name is Baki. Next to me is Subaku no Temari, the Lord Kazekage's eldest. Her two brothers, Subaku no Kankurō and Subaku no Gaara, are here as well."
Temari, Kankurō, and Gaara of the Desert, hmm? Why would the Kazekage send his children? To make an impression, or—?
"As you can see," the man continued, "the Lord Kazekage has the utmost faith in your decision for the better of our two great villages."
Minato nodded. "Please send over the conditions of the new alliance by tomorrow. I will look at them."
The man bowed respectfully, causing the girl and older boy to do so as well. The youngest stayed impassive. They aren't forcing him to, either. Why not?
"Thank you for your time, Lord Hokage."
(Section Break)
"Listen, Squad Two," Minato commanded. "Your mission is to locate and bring back—alive—my son."
There was a slight intake of breath in the room. Evidentally, Minato noted, no one else knew we had a son, either.
Evidently
"Excuse me, sir," one of the subordinates—Ayame, if he remembered correctly—began. "You had a son?"
"Yes," the Yondaime replied. "My wife, Kushina, had twins. My son, however, was diagnosed with a deadly disease and was hidden from the public for his own well-being. Unfortunately, this proved a mistake. He ran away two nights ago."
"Miss Natsuki had a brother?" another subordinate asked curiously. "Does he look like her?"
"Similar," Minato admitted. "He's about four foot three; about one hundred and thirty centimetres. Pale blond and spiky hair, blue eyes, three whisker-like marks on his cheeks, skinny. Please keep in mind that, like my daughter, he is not the Kyūbi incarnate. Rather, if he were to die, the Kyūbi would be released from its prison and destroy all that is around it."
It was a necessary lie. He wasn't sure what would happen, but he knew that the Kyūbi would only be set back and, after a few years, finally come back and destroying something else. Either way, his son wouldn't be killed by his own foolishness.
"Will you accept the mission, Squad Two?" Minato asked, hands folded.
"Yes," they all replied. Minato leaned back.
"Good," he responded. "Leave in the morning."
(Section Break)
"Up yet, kid?" Edward asked. Naruto groaned.
"How do you get up so early?" Naruto asked, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "It's, what, five o'clock?"
"Seven, actually," Ed replied. "You wouldn't know, though, since there's no daylight in here."
"You have a clock, then?"
"Yeah," he answered. "So, you hungry?"
"Yes," Naruto said truthfully, stomach growling lightly. "Are we having breakfast?"
"Nope," Edward grinned. "Well, sort of."
"Sort of?" Naruto inquired. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I have all the ingredients right here," Edward stated, "but you have to make it."
"Like, cook?" Naruto asked blankly. I've never cooked anything...
"Bingo," Ed smirked, tossing a bag of stuff towards Naruto. "I'll come back in forty minutes. Have fun!"
Naruto stared down at the bag, unsure of what to do. /Would it be too much to ask if you could help me?/
/Why would I know how?/ Kurama asked. /I'm a giant fox, not a chef. I don't eat anything other than live animals, anyway./
/That's kind of creepy, you know,/ Naruto said.
Kurama grunted. /You should get working, kid,/ the Kyūbi suggested. /He won't wait for you./
/How do you know? You said you'd never met him./
/I didn't, not really,/ the fox answered. /Rather, he met me./
/What difference does that make?/
/It means that I don't know anything about him other than a few of his tendencies. He knows about me, though./
/What about those legends?/
/They're legends, kid. Even if they have basis in fact, they aren't entirely correct./
/So, in other words, you lied,/ Naruto deadpanned.
/I'm hurt, jailor,/ the Kyūbi mocked. /Not really. Besides, you're wasting time—go make breakfast./
Naruto blew his bangs out of his face in a large huff before walking into one of the other rooms. I didn't notice before, but this place is rather large. Even if everything but the furniture is made out of cold stone, it's all perfectly-proportioned. How did he do that?
Looking at the stone counter-tops, Naruto was faintly impressed. There was a refrigerator that was somehow functional and a sink, as well as a stove and oven. The cupboards were full of cooking utensils, too. Not to mention a table and a chair were in the corner. Did he buy them from the mainland, then?
Naruto set the bag on the counter-top. Opening it, he sighed deeply. Why couldn't I have just made instant ramen?
(Section Break)
"This way, team," the leader of Squad Two yelled, turning. They followed soon after.
"Did you find something, Teacher?" one of them asked. The leader nodded.
"His scent is going this way," he replied. "It's faint, but there. He may have tried to mask his scent."
"He's no ordinary kid, then, knowing how to do that," another responded. "Where could he have learned it?"
"The mission summary said he spent all his free time in the Lord Hokage's library as far as the Lord Hokage knew," the third one noted.
"Perhaps he did," the leader agreed. "This way!"
The four-man team broke through the forest's canopy and found a large village resting on the coast of an ocean.
(Section Break)
"F-father?" Hinata asked, cringing slightly. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes," her father replied. "Your training has been going well. Your attitude, however, needs reforming."
"A-attitude?" Hinata inquired. "What do you mean, Father?"
"You stutter," Hiashi responded bluntly. "The Clan's heiress cannot stutter."
"I thought I wasn't the heiress," his daughter noted quietly. "You said that Hanabi was."
"No, that's what the Elders want," the Clan Head said. "I do not care which of my daughters is the Clan's new Head. Whichever one is stronger. You have proved yourself worthy as of late for reasons I am unsure of, finally beating your younger sibling. This doesn't matter if your personality is still worthless."
"Worthless, Father?" Hinata whispered. "I'm worthless?"
"Practically," her father stated. "Stop stuttering and become someone worthy of being Clan Head. Only then will I be satisfied."
"Yes, Father," Hinata replied sadly. "Of course."
"Good. Call your cousin in here when you're done."
"As you wish, Father."
(Section Break)
Shikamaru looked up at the clouds and sighed. His friend looked towards him.
"Are you alright, Shikamaru?" he asked. Shikamaru sighed again.
"I suppose I am," he answered. "I just have a really bad feeling."
"Maybe you're hungry," his friend replied. "That's why I usually feel bad. Want a chip?"
Shikamaru laughed slightly. "No thanks, Chōji, I'm not hungry."
"You sure?" Chōji pushed. "I don't mind sharing."
"Maybe one, then," Shikamaru allowed, taking one from the held-out bag. "You know, Chōji, have you noticed what's been up with Natsuki?"
"The Lord Yondaime's daughter?" Chōji asked. "She has seemed a bit down, why?"
"I feel like it's connected."
"Don't sweat it, Shikamaru. You're talking like an old man."
Shikamaru chuckled. "I suppose I am, huh?"
But still...
(Section Break)
Sakura trudged around glumly. Natsuki's been really depressed lately because of her brother, she thought tiredly. While I understand her wanting to be alone, she left me alone. Wouldn't that be considered selfishness? The only other friends I have are from when I hadn't joined the Academy, and we don't talk much. Even the other people in the Academy don't really like me, so...
Sakura didn't notice when she bumped into someone. "Oh, I'm sorry! I wasn't looking where I was—"
Her eyes slowly dilated in horror as she took a step back. I didn't bump into someone, she thought, horrified. I bumped into a...a monster!
She turned around and ran away as fast as she could from the sand wall and the emotionless man behind it.
(Section Break)
Ino hit someone's shoulder. "Sorry," she muttered. Hysterical sobs met her words. W-what the—?
Ino turned around and saw Sakura. Her initial response was to taunt her, but to see her like this—so scared, so vulnerable—she quickly comforted her rival. "What's wrong, Sakura?"
"I-ino," Sakura stuttered. "M-monster—I couldn't—s-sand, and—"
"Calm down, Sakura," Ino soothed. "Tell me what happened," she comforted, walking towards a bench and sitting them both down.
"T-there was t-this wall of sand and this creepy boy o-or something behind it who was just s-staring at me," she hiccuped. "He was like a demon!"
Neither noticed the same kid walking behind the bench, face reflecting sadness, if only slightly.
(Section Break)
Kiba looked at the weird bug-guy. "Yo," he greeted nervously.
The kid looked at him, barely shifting his head before giving a slight nod. "Inuzuka," he replied.
Kiba looked a bit uncomfortable, but continued. "I noticed you were kind of alone here," he said normally, looking away with his hands behind his head. "Did you want to come eat with me?"
I think he's the alone one, the kid thought, but nodded. "That would be acceptable."
Kiba glanced at him again and turned away. "Let's go then, Aburame."
"Shino."
Kiba looked back for a second before turning towards the field again. "Let's go then, Shino."
(Section Break)
Sasuke glanced concernedly over at the Hokage's daughter. She hadn't spoken for two days, something abnormal for the joyful girl. Did something happen?
If he were to ask, he would be answered with rumours. No one, however, would approach him of their own motivation. If he were to ask why, he would be given the answer that their lowly selves aren't worth the last loyal Uchiha's time. If he were to ask why they felt like that, he wouldn't have gotten an answer worth anything.
However, for now, he would just continue to ponder. Eventually, he might approach the sullen girl. And, eventually, he might become a bit more than acquaintances. Friends, perhaps. But that would have to wait for a little while. Getting up during the middle of a test would be a bad idea.
(Section Break)
Kakashi looked at his teacher, sad. His own son would leave?
"Is there anything I can do, Lord Hokage?" Kakashi inquired. Minato began to shake his head, but stopped.
"Actually," he answered, "I think you can. Follow the squad I sent out yesterday. One of their members has questionable status within Konoha. Not only that, but I feel that you would be beneficial to their search."
"Of course, Lord Hokage," Kakashi replied. "I will leave within the hour while the day is still good."
"Don't be late, Kakashi," the Hokage joked.
"I won't," his student promised.
(Section Break)
Neji looked into the eyes of the Clan Head. "You wanted to see me, Lord Hiashi?"
"Yes," Hiashi answered calmly. "Your cousin Hinata needs to fix her pathetic stuttering issues. A spar between the two of you may be helpful."
"A spar?" Neji inquired. "One of only Jyūken?"
"Yes," the Clan Head replied. "There will be no allowed use of the Cursed Seal yet."
Yet? Neji thought furiously. "Of course, Lord Hiashi."
"Good. Your spar will be in three days. I will have a messenger alert Hinata. You are dismissed."
(Section Break)
Lee looked up at the man who decided to train him. I'm so thankful, really...
"Are you ready, Lee?" the man asked, teeth sparkling. Lee nodded once and yelled a loud affirmal. The two began running laps around the village.
Lee, though beaten and worn by the end of it, didn't stop smiling.
(Section Break)
Tenten held the kunai in her hand, flipping it over and over. She finally threw it towards the target. Dead on, she thought proudly. I'm going to become a weapons mistress. I don't have the skills to become a medic-nin like Lady Tsunade, but that doesn't mean I can't be just as strong!
Throwing more kunai, she grinned. I take that back. I'll be stronger!
(Section Break)
Jiraiya huffed as he was thrown out of the hotel. Ungrateful kids, he thought bitterly.
Slowly, he began his long journey towards Konoha. Emergency summons were important, but they could wait for him. He always stopped at all the towns on the way—ones with bathhouses were preferred, though maybe not for the reason a passerby would think.
Unfortunately for him, he was only right outside of Hoshigakure, the Village Hidden in the Stars—a mere couple days from Konohagakure. If Minato summoned him, there'd be no doubt Minato would know exactly how long it'd take to get to Konoha. Better hurry then, I suppose.
My favourite student's calling, after all.
(Section Break)
Edward activated the array for the sealing. Complete protection was merely one of his many abilities. Besides, they wouldn't know what happened since he removed the seal on the outside of his door. Checking his personal clock, he made a clicking sound with his tongue. The kid's got five more minutes. I suppose I'll go see if he was able to improvise with the ingredients, since they don't go together in any food I've ever eaten.
Walking down the stairs slowly, he sighed. He's damn lucky that none of my true self has really shined. If it had, there's no telling what would have happened. Would he have been succumbed to my failed Gate? Or perhaps stabbed by my overwhelming desire for blood. Or maybe—
That certainly took a dark turn, now didn't it? he noted. Whatever. Let's see how he's doing.
And, as he walked in, he was pelted with an explosive bit of flour.
(Section Break)
In response to Guest: NaruHina will actually be an explainable pairing in this. Unlike the anime/manga, Naruto never saved Hinata from those bullies when he was younger, so she doesn't feel inspired by him in the slightest. Later on, her true colours will show somehow and her being paired with Naruto (in a side-romance, so it won't be important to the plot) will make more sense. I personally enjoy NaruHina, but I hate reading fanfictions where there's a really good plot and then they overrun it with the pairing.
In response to Peter Kim: I hope this chapter explains some of that.
I'm rather satisfied with this chapter, though it's a tad short. The first section ending (with Edward stating that his dream is to die) made me smile as I wrote it (that sounds a tad creepy, huh).
Also, someone might be wondering why I'm using phrases such as "Lord Hokage" rather than "Hokage-sama." This is because of people who watched dubbed (I only know one who watched Naruto with the dub, though) and aren't as knowledgeable about Japanese as people who may watched subbed are. Personally, I'm learning Japanese, so I could really lather this up with it, but I find it distasteful. And, by the way, I'm using kid in place of "gaki," which is an informal term for someone young, so it could be compared to brat.
Well, thank you for reading! If you review, virtual cookies. If not, that's fine too. As long as you like the story, everything's all good!
Shameless advertising: If you're a fan of Fullmetal Alchemist and Harry Potter crossovers, I have a story called Molten up. It's a bit drabble-y. I also have a Naruto one-shot called A Way to Win, if anyone's interested.