A/N: Thank you all for the reviews. I Truly enjoyed them i was also surprised by how many people reviewed and gave good feedback. Well Anyway I'd Like to apologize for the late update. But in exchange I have advice. Don't get into a Fist Fight with your step father, especially if he controls your Hope you Like The Chapter. Oh and before I forget:
Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the Naruto Frachise if I did, Sasuke defiantly would be such a cock fairy.
A Second Chance for a Frozen Heart
Chapter Two
A Shopping Trip and a Glimpse at the Truth
Beep! Beep! Beep! Smash! "Naruto-kun you need to get up, I think I broke your clock." Hearing his name being called slowly brought the mentioned blond to the conscious plane.
"Hnn? What did you say?" He mumbled as he sat up and ribbed the sleep from his eyes.
"I said you need to get up and I just so might have broken your annoying nuisance of a clock." Looking around him, Naruto saw the Kyuubi with most of her tails covering her ears while one was making its way back to her from the shattered remains of his alarm clock.
"I've got to get an extra futon because I can't have you breaking all my clocks because you find them annoying. Plus no offence but this is a little awkward." He stretched his arms and popped his neck before he once again yawned.
"What is big bad Naruto-kun afraid of a little female contact?" Naruto blushed deeply. "Besides, why don't you ask the old man if he can help you with getting a bigger apartment?"
"You've been stuck in me all my life you'd think you would see what I have gone through."
"It was the stupid genjutsu that bastard used." The Kyuubi retorted quickly before realizing what she had said. Before Naruto could ask anything she said "Don't worry I'll tell you and the old man at the same time but not right now."
"Fine. Well anyway I own the whole complex it's just I don't have the time or resources to fix anything and the last manager was a pig. So the master suite smells like cheap alcohol and piss."
"Maybe you can ask him for the supplies and then you could just give him the money for a D-rank mission so some gennin team can bring it here." She smiled at the thought of the manual labor the poor gennin team would have to endure.
"That might work, I could even ask him for it as an early birthday present and use the kage bushin to do the work. I really just hope I can find a good blade today." He practically beamed at the thought of getting a new weapon.
"The only reason you're so excited is because you have the possibility to buy something that is both shiny and pointy." Naruto opened his mouth to say something and paused before drawing a blank.
"So?" Naruto had an 'I can't believe I really said that' look as the Kyuubi remarked his limited comeback.
"Ooh what a snappy and quick-witted comeback. Now get up and get ready, also wear those gloves that one Inu ANBU gave you. They will give you a better grip on the sword."
"Yeah, I'm going. You just better not peek on me you perverted fox. I saw the book you took of Ojii-san's desk." Naruto said as he got up.
The Kyuubi tried to defend herself. "Hey it's a good d series!" She huffed as he waved his hand as if waving off her statement.
"No matters how you boil it down it's still smut. If I see it, I'll burn it." He threatened.
"Or I could read the book through the mental link all day. I'm sure you would enjoy that, especially after I got the sequel. "She giggled as Naruto visibly paled and almost dropped the clothes he had grabbed which were the same style as his previous ones with the addition of the armor plated gloves.
"Damn, you win Ero-fox." Kyuubi smiled in triumph as Naruto walked into towards the bathroom. As soon as he was around the corner the demoness shut her thoughts from the mental link and pulled an orange book from under her pillow. The cover depicted a man chasing a woman and in the corner was the 'Adult Only' symbol.
-----Time Skip-----
-With Hiruzen Sarutobi-
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood outside one Naruto Uzumaki's apartment. 'I wonder why he hasn't moved into the master suite. I'll ask him later.' Thought the elderly Hokage as he knocked.
When the door opened he saw the Kyuubi standing there smiling at him. 'Never in all my life would I have guessed that I'd willingly enter a room with the Kyuubi. Fate is a strange thing, eh Minato?'
"Hello there Kyu-…" He paused for a second. "What should I call you, because the name I know might not be the best to call you in public." He said as he was ushered in and the door closed behind him.
The Kyuubi looked as if she was thinking hard and then hung her head. "Kami, I must be as much of a baka as Naruto sometimes. It seems I am to use to being addressed by my title and not my name. I even forgot to tell Naruto my name. "
At this point she stuck out her hand in a greeting which the Hokage took in his hand. "Hello Hokage –sama. My name is Aruie, Aruie Yoko. You may know me by my title, Kyuubi."
The Hokage smiled. 'Yeah, never imagined I'd be doing this.' "Hello Aruie-san, my name is Hiruzen Sarutobi. A pleasure to meet you." When he finished he noticed that Aruie was acting strange.
At first her lip started quivering, but that was quickly followed by her eyebrows doing the same before she burst into laughter. "I'm sorry Hokage-sama. I fear I've been stuck in Naruto to long. The situation became too serious." She managed to get out between giggle fits.
Hiruzen chuckled heartily "I fear for the sanity of Iruka and myself , should we have a second Naruto on our hands."
A voice from behind answered them. "Well then you better grab your crazy pills Ero-jiji."Naruto pulled something orange from his pocket with his one of his gloved hands which he tossed to the Old Sarutobi.
"The Ero-fox happens to have a prankster side as well." He said as the Old man realized just what he now had in his hand.
"Oh…. Umm… It's not mine?"
"Well then I'll be happy to take it back." Responded Aruie quickly.
"I think not! I refuse to have you reading that inside my head all day." Sarutobi quickly hid the book in his robe as the two bickered. When they both turned back towards him he quirked an eyebrow at the two, the female of which was blushing as red as her hair.
"Hey old man, I think we'd better get going. I'd rather not piss off Iruka." After chuckling the Hokage answered the blond.
"I suppose we should. " He turned to the Aruie "Maybe you should change after all your other form attracts a lot less attention. What with your extra appendages and all."
Aruie smirked as her whole body began to shimmer as if a clouded veil was thrown over her and when it was lifted her fox-like characteristics had disappeared and her clothing had changed. Now she sported standard shinobi gear with the addition of a black cloak that had red-orange flames along the bottom and the cuffs of the sleeves that seemed to move to life with her every breath. It also had the kanji for 'sly' on the back in red-orange thread.
"Better?" Aruie asked
"Much I wish to know what that is because I don't detect any genjutsu. It also seems as if you got part of your wardrobe from the Yondaime." Aruie gaze leveled off on the Hokage in a glare.
"My fashion sense isn't the only thing I got from him Hokage-sama. But the technique is one of the things I plan to give Naruto in time. They are Kitsune Illusions." Between her tone and the glare he was receiving the Hokage pretty much guessed what the demoness meant.
"All in good time. You know there would be dramatic repercussions just as I do." The old Hokage looked between Naruto and Aruie before he said "Alright brats let's get a move on."
-Konoha Shopping District-
An old man in the robes of the Hokage led two apparent teens down the streets of the Konoha shopping district. Between Naruto's changes and Aruie not having aged in a long while they looked to be thirteen and sixteen.
While Naruto could not seem to stop fidgeting and glancing around avoiding the eyes of the villagers, Aruie looked ready to shed the blood of the few villagers awake at this hour. Seeing this, the old Hokage quickly pulled them along to their destination.
Once a sign that read 'Higarashi Weapon Shop' came into view the elder Sarutobi visibly relaxed as he ushered them in and closed the door behind them. A call from the back pulled the attention of all three. "I'll be there in a minute!" Hiruzen Laughed before he told them both to go look for a suitable weapon while he waited for the owner at the counter.
-With Naruto-
'Hey Kyu-chan, what do you think would be the best for the style I'm going to learn?' He spoke to her via mental link.
'Oh that reminds me, before I forget to tell you again, please call me by my name. It's Aruie, Aruie Yoko. And Honestly Naruto-kun I don't think any of these here would work. They would not be able to handle your new chakra once it was fully formed.'
'Aruie-chan…. Hmm I like it. It's cute.' A fierce blushed made itself known on Aruie's face. She hid it quickly with her hands and made a suggestion.
'Maybe we should go tell the old man that we would probably need something stronger.' Naruto nodded before he voiced his opinion.
"Yeah, you're probably right. Let's go Aruie-chan."
-With Sarutobi-
When the owner finally came out of the back he greeted Hiruzen with a firm handshake before speaking. "So Hiruzen, you old goat, how's it going for you?"
"I'm good Akumo, I'm good. Well other then I damn near positive my paper work is breeding while I sleep. You remember Naruto right?"
"The little tyke you brought in a while ago? Hell between you and Inu that's all I hear in here. I don't think I'll ever forget that boy. How is he doing anyway?"Responded Akumo.
"He is good, in fact he is the reason I'm here today. I was wondering if you could let him into the vault." Akumo brought his hand up and stroked his beard while thinking.
"Alright, but I want all the pictures, I am going to burn them, and you will never mention that encounter again." The old Sarutobi laughed before he pulled out a stack of pictured that had been rubber banded together.
"Deal. I thought those would be your conditions." As soon as Hiruzen handed them over Akumo incinerated the with a weak Katon justu.
"You know it was her fault, she came onto me." Hiruzen laughed remembering the day his former teammate had tried hitting on Akumo in a drunken stupor.
"Doesn't make it any less funny though." Was the Hokage's reply. A voice from behind them stopped their conversation.
"What's funny Ojii-san?"
"Nothing Naruto. Get your ass over here, I want you to meet someone." Answered the Hokage. Naruto did as he was told and walked up, along with Aruie, and stood between her and his 'Ojii-san'.
"Naruto, this is Akumo Higarashi. He is a close friend and the only person I have trusted with all my knowledge." Said the Sarutobi as he gave Naruto a look that said many things at once; ' I really do trust him, I'm sorry, I'd like you to trust him too.' were only a few.
"Alright gramps, if you trust him I think I can too." Said Naruto as he held out his hand to Akumo who took it in a hearty handshake.
"The name's Naruto Uzumaki, pleased to meet you Higarashi-san."
"Nice to see you again kid. You're all the old goat talks about, and just call me Akumo I can't stand formalities ." Naruto laughed and gave his trademark grin.
"Me too Akumo, I don't know how Ojii-san can stand all the formal crap, when I become Hokage I'll make sure nobody has to act like there is a stick permanently shoved up their ass." Sarutobi frowned at the crack on him.
"Good luck Naruto it will take a miracle to pull the stick out of some people's asses."
"CoughHiashiCough" Akumo smiled innocently and shrugged "What you know I'm right, anyway let's get to the best part just give me a second ok?" With that he leaned into the stairwell that led upstairs and shouted. "Ten-ten mind the store, I'll be back in a few!"
A feminine shout answered him "Yeah, I'll be down in a minute dad." After that Akumo led them down a different set of stairs and into a basement. They walked all the way to the back past all sorts of racks with different assortments of weaponry.
When they stopped in front of the wall Akumo bit his thumb open and swiped across a discolored brick. Afterwards a glowing seal appeared on that part of the wall and it slid away revealing a room much like the one they resided in currently. The only difference was it was better lit.
Akumo motioned for them to follow and as they entered they all felt a new feeling. The room they were in had many selves and racks lining the walls and creating isles. On the shelves were weapons that looked to be of the highest quality but there was something about them. They seemed to pulse with their own energy.
Almost as if they were "Alive…." Naruto muttered.
"Close kid. All of these were forged through processes long lost but it gave each of them unique qualities that differ from weapon to weapon or even from wielder to wielder. One thing they all have in common though is that they choose who wields them. And if they don't want you you're in for a nasty little shock. Anyway, go ahead and try. If one accepts you then it's yours free of charge."
Naruto was practically beaming. "YATA! Thank you so much Akumo-san.!"
"Don't thank me yet kid, you might not even find one that accepts you. Oh and to try it simply touch it and push you chakra into the weapon." When he looked back he saw Naruto's back as he turned around a corner and out of sight.
-With Naruto-
'Hmm I know these probably wouldn't work with my style, but they are sooooo cool. Maybe…' These were Naruto's thoughts as his hand hovered over the pair of chakrams. He finally grabbed it with his whole hand and started to push his chakra into it.
-With Everyone Else-
A loud yelp made the demoness jump and both the older looking males laugh. "Ouch, the brat needs to realize not to yell over the mental link. I'm so going to get him for this."
"You may also look for one Kyuubi-san." Said Akumo while laughing.
"You are a peculiar one. Most would attempt to kill me knowing who I am. And sadly I cannot accept your offer those that would accept me would surely not later on. And please call me Aruie I prefer it to constantly being called by my title." Replied Aruie
"Okay Aruie-san, and I may not be as peculiar as you think. I knew both of Naruto's parents and on the day Minato sealed you he was just as confused as I am to this day as to why the elemental protector of Hi no Kuni would attack in a blind rage." Reasoned Akumo
"Hmm intelligent too, I would be willing to tell you both what happened but not Naruto, at least not yet. I'm pretty sure you both know the name Madara Uchiha correct? Well to put it bluntly he isn't nearly as dead as you all believe. He is also after all the biju. Even I don't know why but he was the reason I went berserk that day. The bastard even used the eyes I gave him to put a genjutsu on me. But the reason I don't want you to tell Naruto is because of the group he is a part of."
"Akatsuki?" The Hokage said in a questioning voice.
"Yes that's the one. He is using all kinds of S-Rank nuke-nin to help him collect the biju and their hosts. But Naruto does have a chance his body is currently mixing both mine and his chakra so in a sense we are becoming hanyou. He is already part hanyou so whatever weapon he finds will still accept him but I on the other hand haven't had the human chakra enter my system yet."
"So when will his body finish creating the new chakra?" Sarutobi asked
"By the time he is thirteen it should all be done but it will be much more potent and thus if he isn't careful he could rip apart his coils from the inside. I think it will take at least till he is sixteen or seventeen for his body to get used to the chakra." Answered the demoness.
-Back with Naruto-
Naruto had quickly released the chakram when it rejected his chakra. As he was walking away He mumbled under his breath "Stupid sissy weapon, I was probably too strong for it." As if in answer to his statement the energy from the chakrams flared and he ran as quickly as he could around the corner and down another isle.
As he regained his composure and looked around he saw he was a couple of isles over and the weapons around him were differed blades. All kinds from Katana to Odachi and Wakasashi but on set of blades caught his eye. It was a pair of Kodachi tied together with an elegant looking silken blue ribbon. It seemed as blue as the vast expanses of the sea. Or at least that's what Naruto thought since it looked like the water around Nami no Kuni.
'Haku-chan….' Naruto eyes hardened with determination as he looked over the blades with a critical eye. The first Kodachi was about two and a half feet from end to end. The hilt and guard were cast in gold and the cloth wrapped around the hilt matched the ribbon. The sheath also matched the ribbon in color.
The second one was of the same length but the hilt and guard were made of silver and the cloth wrapping for the handle was silver-gray but of the same silken material. And the sheath seemed to shine in the light as it beams danced across its silver-gray surface as if they were affected by some unseen and unfelt wind. Also hanging from both handles by small chains were pendants that depicted a vicious whirlpool.
Naruto reached out both his hands, each grasping the hilt of a blade as he slowly eased his chakra into the blades. Expecting the same effect as last time he flinched slightly until a warm feeling spread through his body and he felt a slight pressure on his mind like when Aruie tried to talk to him. He opened his mind to the new presence.
'Hello Uzumaki'
'We are Kaze'
'And Kiri.'
-With Everyone Else-
Aruie looked up at the men in front of her and smiled a smile that seemed to spell at least one of their dooms. "I do believe Naruto's heritage found him,"
The Hokage seemed to pale. "Which side?" He asked softly praying it wasn't a certain yellow haired hero's.
"Oh don't worry, it's not Minato's. Trust me though Kushina's family's blades should be feared as well. Because guess what, if you don't tell him, they will. Your choice Hokage-sama, either way you're going to have some explaining to do. Man I can't wait to see this." Aruie laughed loudly while holding her stomach. After she regained her composure she looked Hiruzen in the eye and said "I wouldn't wait too long to tell him the whole truth, he needs to know."
"I know, fine I'll tell you what if he even makes it into the chunin finals I'll tell him of his father." The new look in Aruie's eyes scared the Sarutobi right down to his soul.
"Oh really now? You are going to regret those words old man. That I can promise you." Her evil smirk only proved to widen as she laughed at not only putting Naruto through one hell of a training regiment once they got back from the Nami no Kuni mission.
From behind them they heard a voice that made them stop their conversation immediately. "So old man, care to tell me why these things keep calling me 'Uzumaki' and why they keep talking about the land of whirlpool?"
It was at this point the old man in question had his watch go off signaling that Naruto needed to head to the academy. 'Thank you Kami, I promise not to read icha Icha for a week... okay maybe a day.' " I'm sorry Naruto but right now you have to get to the academy. I promise to answer all I can later. For now you'd better head off so you're not late. Meet me at Ichiraku later tonight, say around seven, and if you wish you may bring Iruka since he has helped you in the past."
"Fine but I'm going to hold you to that Ojii-san. If not Ill just pry it out of Kaze and Kiri. They told me to ask you first but I'm pretty sure they will answer me if I pester them long enough." It was at this point they all noticed the swords tied on his left and right hips with a long blue silk ribbon. Different thoughts went through everyone's head when they saw them.
'Wow those are the blades that Kushina had when she first came here.' Thought the Sarutobi.
'Looks like I don't have to fulfill Kushina's wishes after all. He did it before he even truly came of age. This will be truly interesting.' Thought Akumo
'Finally something goes right for this boy. I only hope this will be enough to save her, I don't think he can take losing her twice.' Was what Aruie thought.
"Come on Aruie-chan. We'd better get to class. No matter how many times I see it that Big head jutsu is still scary." Aruie nodded before she changed into her fox form and jumped onto his shoulders. After she situated herself Naruto turned towards Akumo. " Akumo I honestly don't know how to thank you. But I promise you this, anytime I need tools of any kind, I'll come to you first and last." With that Naruto bowed quickly then left out the opening and up the stair. As he passed by the register he saw a brown haired girl from the class above him. He waved and smiled as he passed her and headed on his way hoping he wouldn't be late.
-With Iruka-
The chunin sat behind his desk as he watched the first few students file in ahead of the rest of their class and as always when he didn't have anything to do his mind wandered to the blonde he had slowly began to see as a brother if not a son. He wouldn't openly admit it but he cared for him a lot.
It was part of the reason why he was so hard on him. He wanted more than anything to bring out Naruto's true potential. Inwardly he sighed 'Maybe I need to cut him some slack' As he sifted through his memories of the blond more and more of the class came in and finally the blonde came in himself. 'Wow he is one time, and look at those Kodachi the Hokage must have broke the bank. Well starting tomorrow afternoon I won't be his only sensei.'
-Naruto-
'Gah! We made it with time to spare.' Thought Naruto to his Now Increased mental companions.
'That we did Uzumaki-sama'
'Could you please just call me Naruto? I hate formalities. Hehehe you could call me Naruto-sama'
'Not a chance kid. Personally I don't like formalities either but because of our previous wielder.'
'Who was that Kaze?'
'No one Uzumaki-sama'
'I thought you were Kiri'
'I am, but Kaze doesn't always know when it is best to keep quite. Please Uzumaki-sama, wait and the Hokage will tell you all I'm sure of it.'
'Fine, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.'
'Naruto-kun quit complaining and wow its crowded in here, I suppose this time is one of the few times I can say that about the inside of your head.'
'Hahaha, real funny Aruie-chan'
Naruto looked around only to see the seats near Shikamaru and Choji taken. The only ones left were on either side of Kiba or next to the brooding king himself, Sasuke. Naruto huffed while he mumbled "At least emo boy doesn't smell like a wet dog."
If he had thought clearly he would have remembered why it was better to sit next to Kiba instead of Sasuke. But as he sat down he heard Sasuke mutter "Hnn" under his breath which was probably only audible to Naruto's enhanced senses because he did it twice, the second time louder, almost as if to reassure himself that he had actually "Hnn'd" at the presence near him.
"What do you want teme?" Oh how he loved to use that, he just hated the term that had been given back to him.
"Just wondering how a dobe like you can get swords like those. Hnn, never mind their in your possession so they are most likely crap anyway."
As if in response to his statement the silver blade flared with energy. 'You wanna go punk. I'll kick your newborn ass!'
'Cool it Kaze, it would not do to get Uzumaki-sama into a fight with the Uchiha. We don't want either hurt. After all they do both end up on the same team according to Uzumaki-sama'
'Fine but he better learn to watch his mouth.' Finished Kaze.
Naruto looked over at Sasuke, after listening to the internal argument, to see him recomposing himself after being so close to the flare. "Sorry 'bout that teme. Kaze is a little temperamental. I'd suggest you don't insult him anymore. Anyway I was going to ask if-"Was as far as Naruto got before his heightened senses pick up a loud screeching noise coming down the hall and quick.
"Shit Ino and Sakura are coming. They are so gonna kick my ass if I stay here, sorry teme but later." Said Naruto as he tried to get up only to find he was being pulled back down. He looked over to see Sasuke with an evil glint in his eye.
"Oh no dobe you will sit here and endure it so I don't have to deal with one of them hanging on me all day." Naruto sighed before admitting defeat.
"Fine teme but on one condition, this Saturday you and me spar. I hate written tests I want to see if I'm better than you at the practical shit."
"Deal dobe. Just don't cry when I wipe the floor with you." Sasuke answered him with a smirk. It was at this point that the two screaming banshees ran through the door and got stuck while trying to push the other out of the way.
-Time Skip-
Naruto walked out of the academy later than usual with Iruka following him and Aruie on his shoulders. The older male chuckled lightly at Naruto's complaints about 'human banshees' and 'respect for people with sensitive ears', on the inside though Iruka was a mess.
Part of him was overjoyed that Naruto would want him there with the high probability of something important being said. But another part was worried as to what the Hokage had to say. From what Naruto described of the sentient power of the swords and what they had said to him, he figured it had to do with Naruto's parents.
Ichiraku's ramen stand finally came into view and Naruto shouted about the greatest food on earth, while Iruka kept pace with Naruto and simply laughed.
"I still don't see why you make such a big deal over ramen, Naruto. Granted it is some of the best in Konoha but it is still just ramen." He said as he lifted the flap and sat down next to Naruto as they waited for Hiruzen.
"Just ramen? Are you kidding me sensei? Ramen is amazing, quite possibly the greatest food in all the elemental countries." Was Naruto's retort. A third voice from the entrance captured their attention.
"Iruka don't even try. I have tried numerous times over the years to get him farther away from the dish but he just won't have it. Just be glad he doesn't have Anko's appetite for when she eats dango." As he said this Iruka paled quickly and gulped.
"Thank god for that Hokage-sama. Anyway if you don't mind me asking what are we here for?" Iruka questioned.
"Let us order first and then I will let you both know why we are here." He waved over Ayame who had been looking at Naruto strangely "Could we get a three bowls of miso to start. I'm sure Naruto will end up having more but a slow start might be best for right now. Thank you Ayame."
At the mention of Naruto's name she put the pieces together and realized who she had been looking at. "Sure anything for our number one customer and those who pay for his meals Hokage-sama." She said as she hurried to the back and told her father of not only the orders but of Naruto's changes.
Aruie jumped down from Naruto's shoulders and changed into her human form without the tails and ears. "So Hokage-sama why don't we get this under way?"
If one didn't know any better they'd think that the humble Hokage was actually glaring a look of death at Aruie but the few that saw shrugged it off as a trick of the light. "Don't worry Aruie-san; I was just going to wait for the food to arrive."
"Fine but after that you don't get to weasel any farther. You tell him or I will." She smiled happily at the Hokage as if daring him to tempt her.
Ayame shortly came back with their orders and set them in front of the three gentlemen before looking at the new arrival and counting in her head to make sure she didn't miss count before. Seeing this Aruie smiled at her and said. "It's ok I just arrived. I'm here with them" as she pointed at Naruto and co.
After nodding and smiling Ayame went back to the kitchen to start the other bowls that were sure to come soon.
The old Sarutobi tried to think of many different ways to bring the subject up and by the time he decided 'blunt was best' Naruto was three quarters of the way done with his bowl. He was also in mid bit along with Iruka when the Hokage spoke up.
"Well Naruto to put it bluntly we are here to talk about your mother." The Hokage said Nonchalantly while Naruto ended up spitting his noodles across the countertop and Iruka choked on his.
A/N: I know i could have left the cliffy at a few other places but I wanted to reach this point before I finished up this chapter. Anyway Please R&R and also the Kyuubi Poll will be open until the wave arc so please go vote. I relized it wasnt on my profile becuase I'm new and forgot to check the "Show on profile" box but i fixed it and if you get the chance please vote. So far most people are In Favor of adding the Aruie. But just so its clear, unless i lose a bet and end up having to add someone into the pairing becuase of it, there will be only Aruie and Haku with Naruto. Oh yeah there will be no miss use of shadow clones either. XD Mostly becuase I cant think about it without laughing so there is no way in hell I can write it.
Ja ne
~Wolf