Disclaimer: I do not own either Harry Potter or Naruto.

The Halfblood Prince: Rise of the Rinnegan

Chapter 2: Changes and Visitors

--

Ron was tired.

More like exhausted really.

No wait scratch that. Words could not describe how the pain and soreness he felt in his muscles and the bones that seemed to wail in protest when he attempted to move, while his throbbing hands were bandaged and wrapped in dirty white cloth, at the same time a pained grimace marred his face. Even as his body clearly displayed that it was hurting due to the botched performance of attempting a jutsu, Ron had proud smile stretched across his face.

'I nearly die from a half-arsed attempt at doing a technique and being the idiot that I am, I'm smiling. If anyone were to look at me right now they'd think I was a bloody masochist. Thank Kami, that Ginny or rather the twins aren't here, they'd never let me live this down.'

The area around him now dubbed as 'Training Ground 9' was a picture of pure destruction that only techniques involving the elements and explosions while Ron was lying on the ground spread eagle with his eyes closed oblivious to the scorched grass, trees missing nearly half their trunks and deep gouges in the ground that surrounded him. As Ron sat there, he thought back to weeks earlier when he had started his path in becoming stronger.

--

During his first week of training sessions as he liked to call it, Ron managed to practice the taijutsu forms from the memories he had gained with a few several mistakes, however a problem occurred to him as he was running through the different punches, kicks, footwork, etc. He was grateful that the brains had somehow given his body the instinct to perform the taijutsu katas with him having to barely think about doing so however, he also realised that he lacked the necessary speed, strength, endurance, and stamina to effectively use it in live combat.

To compensate for the essential basics needed for the taijutsu training, Ron had torn strips of cloth from an old shirt and created a set of makeshift bracelets and belt and tied them around his ankles, wrists and waist. Using a spell he had gotten from his father, Ron cast a spell so that the strips of cloth were heavier as if he was wearing a set of weights. With his crude version of weights Ron decided that he would wear it most of the time and increase the weight when his body had got used to the current amount of weight. He theorised that running around and practicing with the weighted pieces of cloth he could gradually increase his speed, stamina, as well as his strength. Although he had figured out a solution to one of his problems, it still left Ron without a partner to spar against to better improve his skills.

Training with chakra was whole other level of complexity than taijutsu was as it required mental fortitude, intense concentration, and deep focus which Ron could blatantly admit were severely lacking. Fortunately, Ron had the bull-headed determination, which coincidentally was not unlike a certain blond jinchuuriki, to prevail in his endeavours.

In the beginning he had difficulty calling upon his chakra and had failed spectacularly on the first couple attempts as he had not even come up with a sliver of chakra.

*Flashback*

In Training Ground 9

Ron took up a sitting position with his legs crossed, back straight, eyes closed, both hands clasped together in a strange position with one hand having his fingers closed in a fist except for his thumb index and middle finger pointed towards his chin while the other hand overlapped it in the same position, Ron began to meditate to summon his chakra. The seconds turned to minutes and the minutes stretched to several hours without Ron being able to drawing any amount of chakra.

'Dammit, why can't I get this damn thing to work?' Ron though furiously as he exhaled a weary breath in an effort to calm his temper and erratic heartbeat. Shaking his head, and slightly flailing his arms to ease the tension in them, Ron closed his eyes and purged his mind of thoughts as he focused his entire being into calling upon some quantity of chakra. Quite a few minutes flew by with Ron not once breaking his concentration, as his brows furrowed in meditation and heartbeat increasing its pace. Deep within Ron's body his cells began to emit energy as it began to progressively get stronger by the second. Once it had gained enough strength chakra began to extend all over his body as it was channelled through the chakra circulatory system. Ron sensed the flow of chakra as it filled his coils and the sensation he felt was beyond imagination. The excitement and feeling rapidly faded as the chakra soon dissipated from his coils however Ron had wide grin on his as he finally achieved a crucial step.

'Yosh, time to get started on the fun stuff'

*End Flashback*

Over the next several days after successful attempt, Ron's efforts to channelling chakra were steadily improving as he was now able to summon a suitable amount to perform the leaf concentration exercise. With astonishing focus and determination that would have had his professors' jaws slamming into the floor, Ron was able to master the method within an hour. Having mastered the exercise so quickly, Ron hastily began the tree walking method. Channelling his chakra once again he began to mold it around his feet, deciding which tree to use, Ron stood away from it and began to run towards the tree.

Ron was met with... significantly less success than the previous exercise as he impressively managed to be able to make three steps running across the tree before feeling a fluctuation in his concentration before being repelled from the trunk and blasted away. Fortunately or unfortunately Ron was lucky enough to land gracefully face first in a puddle of mud managing to break his fall, his body relatively unharmed but his ego slightly hurt.

Shaking his head from the daze the fall caused him Ron stubbornly stood up to try the exercise once more only to repeat the results several more times. On his last attempt for the day, Ron once again directed chakra to his feet; however, instead of getting a running start to build momentum, he stood in front of the tree placed one foot on the trunk. Satisfied that the foot was sticking to the tree, Ron took his other foot and placed it on the trunk as well. With his body perpendicular to the tree and both feet being held by chakra against the trunk, Ron ever so slowly walked up. Each step forced Ron to think about the amount of chakra that he was placing on his feet thus allowing him to calculate the necessary amount needed to continue without fail. When Ron reached the highest branch of the tree he gave look around the surrounding area as felt elated that he had at least managed to perform the training method correctly and all that was left was to continue to practice it to minimize the chakra needed to execute it and being capable to do it instinctively.

Surprisingly enough to Ron, jutsu was far easier to understand and perform than magic despite the fact that the vast majority of his knowledge of ninjutsu and genjutsu came from memories therefore he had no one to teach him unlike magic which had professors to guide the students .

'Maybe it's because I have an ambition now. I had planned on becoming an Auror together with Harry and I was content to just coast alongside him in school, but....Ever since I started training I feel as if I have a new purpose in the world involving something other than just being Harry and Hermione's best friend, or another Weasley. And I gotta say...it feels damn good to have something even this to call as my own.

Jutsu in general functions on a similar path to magical spells as they both required a set amount of energy, concentration, visualization and calling the spell/jutsu to work properly. Because of his persistence in improving his chakra control Ron was able to swiftly master the basic academy ninjutsu, the Bunshin and Henge technique, several E-Rank ninjutsu such as the Kawarimi and Shunshin jutsu, even adding some D-Rank techniques like the Doton: Shinjū Zanshu no Jutsu and a few basic genjutsu, to his steadily growing repertoire of skills. The Shunshin no Jutsu, however, took quite a bit more time to use as Ron had kept smashing into trees and other objects.

*Flashback*

"Alright, clear focus on where I want to go, the centre of the field, not another tree." Ron pepped talked to himself. Performing the required hand seals and focusing his chakra, Ron felt his body being pulled forward at an incredible velocity directly into a ....tree... his body made quite a thud before falling back and collapsing on the ground.

'Ouch...' Thought Ron as he tried not to think of the pain in his chest, abdomen, and unfortunately between his legs as well.

*End Flashback*

The loud cry of some bird broke Ron away from his thoughts as he gazed at the symbiosis of different colours that painted the sky as the sun slowly began its descend into the horizon,

'Damn, it's getting pretty late. I better get home soon before mum tears me a new one for being out late again.'

Ron rose from his current position ever so slowly so as not to aggravate any injuries he might have acquired in trying to perform a Fūton: Reppūshō, which he did perfectly but failed to consider the repelling force of having the wind blow violently from his hands with Ron being propelled away and landing a good several hundred metres. His muscles and bones ached in protest of his decision to move as Ron was finally able to stand up, taking the time needed to dust off the mud and dirt from his clothes all the while grabbing his broom as he kicked off the ground soaring off into the sky heading towards his home.

--

The powerful gusts and roaring of the winds shook the broom slightly as Ron landed near the front door of the Burrow; he took his broom to the shed before heading towards the kitchen door. Opening the door carefully, he slipped inside and turned to face the door to gently close so as not make a noise but a loud cough made Ron froze in shock from his task he slowly looked over his shoulder, Fleur along with his entire family with the exception of Charlie were gawking at him as they appeared to be starting dinner. Feelings of awkwardness saturated the silence as Ron exchanged looks with everyone.

'Well...this is awkward..." Ron thought sullenly.

"Well, well, if it isn't Ronniekins back home and just in time for dinner too!" said George... or Fred...one of the twins.

"You know Ronnie, Gred, nothing keeps him away from food for too long." The other twin exclaimed amicably.

"Quiet you two. And just where were you gallivanting around at this hour Ron? You should have told us where you going and furthermore you shouldn't have been out this late!" Mrs. Weasley said sternly as well as with worry.

Ron softly let out an exasperated sigh as he moved towards the sink to clean his hands to prepare for dinner. For the countless times Ron snuck out of the house to train he had been methodical in taking care to stealthily sneak out of the Burrow and he was now mentally kicking himself in forgetting that Bill and Fleur were coming tonight and was now paying the price of his complacency with his mother's probing questions.

"I was just out for a fly and practicing for quidditch mum, no need to get worried and besides I can handle myself. " Ron replied calmly as he finished washing his hands and moved towards the table but Fleur got to him first and started speaking.

"Ron, it is good to see you again. Bill and I were discussing plans for the wedding and he was thinking of asking you to be one of his groomsmen." Fleur stated with a heavy French accent while Ginny and Mrs. Weasley had slight scowls on their faces as they pursed their lips tightly in an effort to keep their mouths from saying anything.

"Yeah, it's nice to see you too Fleur, I'd hug you in congratulations but I'm a bit filthy right now." Ron said sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck with his left hand.

"Oh, you haven't seen filthy yet dear soon-to-be-sister-in-law. Just wait till' the food arrives and Ron starts gorging himself. Makes giants look like gentlemen with the way he eats." Fred stated humorously.

Ron gave the twins a glare as he flipped them off while his mother wasn't looking as he took a seat at the table just in time for Mrs. Weasley to put the food on the table. Taking a steak and some mash potatoes, Ron was about to take his first bite when a heavily French accented voice said,

"Molly, the meat is a bit overcooked and the mash potatoes are a bit heavy with all that cream."

Ron let out a shaky breath as he tried not to chuckle at Fleur and the look on his mother's face.

'Mendokuse'

--

Dinner at the Burrow was a boisterous affair despite all the tension due to the steadily rising amount of attacks that had occurred within a few weeks. The twins certainly helped lifting the mood and kept everyone busy with their antics. Bill and Fleur were talking to his parents about the upcoming wedding and he found it difficult not to laugh as Fleur gushed about the details of the wedding while his mother looked like she sucked on a lemon. His thoughts eventually turned towards the upcoming new school year and how he was going to continue his training but was suddenly jolted from them as a voice interrupted his thinking.

"Hermione is coming over tomorrow you know." Ron turned towards Ginny

"Wha'? Sorry I didn't catch that."

"I said Hermione is coming here tomorrow." Ginny reiterated as a little tug at his mouth turned into a small smile.

"She is? That's great." Ron forced himself not to show his enthusiasm to his sister but she just gave a look that gave the feeling like she was seeing right through him.

"You know you've been acting really weird lately ever since the Department of Mysteries. I know you haven't been practicing quidditch today because you need Chasers and Beaters to practice Keeping so just where and what were you doing?" Ginny demanded suspiciously as Ron was mentally groaning for having a smart but nosy, troublesome sister. He knew he couldn't tell her the truth about what he was doing as she would in all fairness freak out that the brains had messed with his mind and body much like what happened to her in his second year with Riddle's diary.

Ron figured that the best way to lie was to tell the truth or half of it anyway.

"Nearly dying has a way of changing people Gin. And I was just out to clear my head from the dreams I've been having lately and flying helps keep them away." The look on Ginny's face softened as it turned from accusing to concern as he continued.

"Anyway the reason I'm all dirty and banged up is that I was trying to perform some moves that could help me keep the Keeper position on the team."

"Well with the way you look right now we'll be lucky if don't get another Sloper or Peakes at tryouts. Oh and you stink." Ginny teased as she pinched her nose in mocking disgust.

"Shut it you. I don't smell that bad," Ron took a sniff of his arm pits before his face turned to a grimace, "Okay, maybe I do but I still smell better than you."

"Prat." Ginny playfully stuck her tongue out at him and hit him in the shoulder lightly for good measure. Ron laughed softly as he got up from the table and began to head towards his bedroom. Once inside he took off the weighted pieces of cloth tied around his hands, feet, and waist and grabbed a towel before walking towards the bathroom to take a much needed shower. Entering the bathroom, Ron put the towel on the rack, got in the tub and turned the nozzle as hot water splashed onto his body. The spray of water cascaded from the shower head, the heat of the water calming Ron as he washed himself.

When Ron was finished he took the towel, dried himself off, and wrapped the towel around his lower body preparing to leave the bathroom when he noticed that his appearance had changed albeit only slightly but it would be difficult for him to explain the changes. Ron took in his appearance as he examined himself in the mirror. His hair had taken a look reminiscent of the way he had worn it in his third year however this was different as his hair was now a messy myriad of spikes, thankfully his hair was still red even though it was several shades darker than before almost taking the colour of blood. The changes to his body were shockingly noticeable where he was lanky and slightly skinny before, now he was showing signs of muscle in his chest, back, arms, legs, and abdomen, where even a six-pack was beginning to show.

"Bloody Hell," Ron said to himself still in astonishment as he continued to examine the changes made to his body. But what shocked Ron the most was that the trademark Weasley freckles was gone, his skin now pale and clear without the innumerable freckles smattering across it.

Quickly leaving the bathroom Ron went inside his room and closed the door. Ron changed into his pyjamas and sat down on top of his bed thinking about the changes in his body. While the training he undertook required a great deal of physical activity along with the weights, he was bound to obtain some muscle but not to this extent. Ron could only guess that it was the brains that had something to do with the changes that happened to his body.

Letting out a worn out yet frustrated breath, Ron let his head fall on his pillow and wrapped around himself a bed sheet, sleep coming easily due to the exhaustion he felt from training.

--

Ron arms were wrapped around themselves resting on his knees as he along with his mother and father were huddled together in corner of the living room, trying not to make a sound as foreign footsteps echoed loudly in their home. Two figures of men appeared in the shadows walking towards the kitchen, Ron could the sounds them rummaging through their cupboards in search of something and froze still when he heard them speak,

"Did you find something?" One of the men asked his companion as the sounds of something being placed on the table reverberated throughout the halls.

"Yeah. Some canned food!" The other man exclaimed excitedly as his partner responded by complaining,

"I haven't eaten in four days"

"Nah, it's only been three" The other man assured his companion.

"Whatever, let's just hurry up and eat. I'm starving." The man said flippantly.

"We can look around after. There might be more somewhere else, too.

During the exchange of conversation between the two strangers his parents gave each other a worried glance as they tried to quickly figure how to get out of this situation.

"Let's get out now..." Ron's dad whispered shakily.

"But what if they find us? I'm scared..." His mother shot back to his father with fear dripping in her trembling voice.

"Don't worry...just try not make any noise..." His father reassured his mother as he prepared to move from their current position. The sounds of the men eating along with the clatter of the utensils could be heard from the kitchen.

"This is good!" A male voice complimented as they continued to devour the food, while his family slowly walked towards the door taking extra care not make any sound to alert the men of their presence. As Ron headed towards the door with his family, he failed to notice the cabinet as his hip hit it. Ron could only clamp a hand over his mouth before the vase fell to the floor and broke into pieces, as the noise alerted the men in their house.

The men were at the doorway in the kitchen as they shouted out to the darkness.

"Who's there!?"

Before Ron could blink, his father charged towards the men with a battle cry in hopes of stalling them to give his family enough time to get away.

"AHHHHHH!"

"Damn! The enemy here!?" One of the men questioned aloud as Ron saw his father struggle with the other man, his hand gripping the man's arm which held a dark kunai.

"Get out while you can!!" Ron heard his father shout to him and his mother while struggling to keep the man at bay.

"Come on, Nagato!" Ron's mother urged as her harm went around his shoulders so that she could get them out and guide them to safety. Ron turned his gaze from his mother and saw the other shinobi running towards them with a kunai in his hand, a look that promised death upon his face. His mother looked on in terror as Ron could only yell out a cry, "Wah!" using his arms to shield his face in a pathetic attempt to protect himself.

The sound of cold metal piercing flesh deafened the room as the dying woman breathed out her last pleading words,

"Nagato..Hurry...Run" Was all Ron heard before the sound of her lifeless body dropped to the floor. Across the room his father looked at the body of his in horror as he angrily cried out,

"How could you!!?"

Before he could continue the man he was struggling slit his throat with the dark blade, the blood rushing out from the wound upon his neck, a gurgling sound escaped from Ron's father as he fell to the ground dead.

Ron was sitting with his back to the cabinet, his knees brought close to his chest as his arms wrapped around them all the while he was shaking terribly from shock , tears flowing silently down his face he softly cried,

"Ahh..."

One of the shinobi came towards him staring at him with a look of disbelief,

"Wh, what...? A kid...?" The shinobi managed to splutter out.

"What the hell...? They're not ninjas!" His companion exclaimed in incredulity as he examined the corpse of Ron's father.

"What should we do!?" The shinobi shouted in confusion.

"How did this happen...!? Damn it! I can't believe we thought they were the enemy!" His partner cried out hysterically with a tinge of regret.

Ron on the other hand continued to softly cry as small gasps of breath escaped from his mouth willing himself not to look at the bodies of his parents. One of the shinobi bent down to speak to him and his gaze shifted from the floor to the shinobi's hitae-te, a metal plate engraved with the spiral leaf of Konohagakure.

"I...I had no idea there were still civilians here. I'm sorry, kid..." The Konoha shinobi lamely apologised to Ron as twin rivers of tears cascaded from his eyes down his cheeks as small whimpers escaped from him all the while his mouth tightened into grit the sound of his teeth grinding against one other .

Ron could feel the hatred, and anger rise within him as his teeth gritted into a snarl, his entire being filled with rage and the urge to kill the men who took away his loved ones. Ron screamed a cry overflowing with fury and pain as he charged forward, the desire to kill these men overwhelming his entire body and mind, his eyes a metallic grey with circles surrounding the iris and pupil, the tears pouring swiftly from the corners of his eyes,

"Ahhhhhh!"

--

Ron awoke with a start, his body trembling from the dream he just had. Ron stared at his hands and was surprised to find them shaking uncontrollably. Willing himself to calm down, Ron took several deep breaths before shrugging of the blankets and got off his bed, grabbing his wand and with a soft, "Lumos," the room lit up with the light emanating from his wand. Ron dropped down kneeling on the floor and began searching for the loose floor board that had the hidden compartment with his notebook tucked away. His fingers grasped the edges of the board as he pulled it away displaying the leather-bound notebook lying there. Ron grabbed the book and hurriedly began writing in kanji the details of his dream. The moment he finished the last word, Ron thought about what had happened in his dream,

"The boy in the dream was named Nagato...and his parents..." Ron cringed as the waves of pain and anguish he felt as he remembered clearly the emotions that he was feeling inside the dream.

"So this is what Harry felt when he lost Sirius..."

Bringing himself slowly upright, Ron glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, 7:30. Knowing he wouldn't be going back to sleep anytime soon Ron walked out of his room and made his way to the bathroom. Entering the room, he trembled slightly as his feet touched the cold tiles making his body shiver slightly while he turned the lights on. Ron twisted the knobs on the sink, the water quickly gushing out from the tap as his hands cupped a handful of liquid before splashing his face with it. Doing this several more times Ron's nerves began to calm while water dripped down his face, taking a glance in the mirror Ron was dumbfounded at the reflection staring before him. His eyes or rather metallic blue orbs stared back at Ron from under his wild crimson locks with their distinguishing feature being the ever widening concentric circles that spread from the pupil outwards.

Like ripples in a mercury pond.

"Oh Fuck."

With his right hand Ron slapped himself...hard...then repeated the action again for good measure to see if he was still dreaming. Unfortunately that only resulted in leaving red hand print on his stinging face and he quickly concluded from the pain that he was definitely not dreaming.

"By Merlin's left saggy nut, what in the bloody hell happened to my eyes?" Ron said aloud as he brought a hand up to his face and pulled an eye-lid down to examine his eyes.

"These look like what that kid had in my dreams...but his were greyish silver not blue..." Ron said thoughtfully as he continued to look at his eyes.

A knock on the door interrupted Ron from his reverie as a voice on the other side of the bathroom door shouted out in irritation,

"Oi Ron! Yes I know it's you in there you swarmy git, now get out of there so I can use the loo!"

Panic rose up within Ron as he had no way of concealing what happened with his eyes and if he knew the voice outside the door, which had to be one of the twins, they would definitely tell his mum and that would lead to unnecessary questions he did not need right now. Steeling his resolve, Ron yanked the door open and quickly pushed aside his brother Fred or George, whichever one, and ran towards his room before they could see his face.

"HEY! Watch where you're going you daft idiot" an indignant yet pesky voice hollered behind him as Ron ignored his sibling and went inside his room. Ron closed the door behind him and casted a locking charm on the door while breathing a sigh of relief that one of the twins had not seen his eyes, '

'Whew...this day could not start out any worse.'

"Hermione you're here!" Ginny shouted happily as her voice echoed throughout the house as Ron groaned in disbelief, his newly acquired eyes gazing towards the ceiling as if complaining to the heavens for some mercy,

'I just can't get a break can I?'