The Exile

I don't own Naruto or its characters

Chapter 8: day of choices

Amon woke up that morning feeling little better then he had the night before. Amon quickly and quietly eat his light breakfast and also got ready in a black suit for that days actions. He would have to go to the funeral of one of his closest friends, and that of many other friends he had made over the years. Amon hated this, he hated the fact that this day had come, and he hate the fact that someone out there decided to make this a sunny day. Weather which so conflicted with feelings of the people of the Konoha, was unchangeable, he only hope that the feelings of the people would become more sunny over time.

Amon walked down to the funeral of the greatest hero since at least the first hokage. Amon noticed that no surprisingly that everyone in the town as also dressed in black for the day. Amon was surprised however at the number of people who were walking towards the location of the funeral. Amon tried to think of only pleasant memories, like when he challenged to Minato to a sparing match when he first met him while at the academy. Minato was a rookie, and as he remembered totally kicked his ass. Still, that was the first of many matches between them, and in all of them, he never managed to defeat Minato. Yet, it was him who was going to the funeral, not Minato going to his. It didn't take Amon long to arrive at the funeral, and find his place for watching it as well. To make it worse, it was not only his funeral, but Kushina's as well, she died giving birth to their son.

The funeral was grand, the speeches by Jiraya, and Sarutobi were amazing, there were more emotions in then in any thing that either they had ever shown. The other rites given at the funeral were also quick touching. Amon himself almost spoke, but could not knowing his words would not be able to match that of the others who had spoken their word of peace about Minato, and Kushina. The funeral was quickly over and the people were forced to go back to their lives, no matter how hard it was to do. Amon walked over to one of his friends former students.

"Obito, he was a great man, I am sorry for you lose," Amon said putting a hand on the shoulder of the younger shinobi.

"Yeah, I just never thought I would lose him like this, it is just."

"Yeah, I know, but these things happen, at least you have Kakashi and Rin to keep a eye on, and help you. You have to life for to help them get over this lose, while neither is likely to admit it as freely as you, they are both hurt by Minato's lose."

"Thank you, your right, Amon, I will," Obito said with a smile, "I declare, that I Obito Uchiha will honor his sensei, and lead a life that will show the world just how great Minato was."

"Good, I am glad to hear, that. I am sure that you will manage to pull it off," Amon replied with a smile as he went off to get his own things ready for heading back to Taki.

Along the way, Amon decided to have a bit at the Ramen stand, remembering how good it was the last time he had it. Amon decided to see if was a fluke or if the place was actually really as good as he thought that it was. Amon took a seat, and ordered a bowel of spicy beef ramen. Amon started to eat his meal, when he noticed another shinobi sitting next to him. It was none other then the amazing Jiraya, the sensei of the former Hokage.

"Jiraya, how are you doing? " Amon said with a smile, "Rumor has it, you may be the next Hokage, congrats."

"No, I will not take that tittle, I am not the right person for it. It should go to someone younger with more fire to make this place better."

"Well, I am sure they will find someone who is worthy."

"Yeah, I am sure, by the way, Sarutobi wants to talk to you over at the Hokage's office, he said it was extremely important."

"I will see him, oh, and could you do me a favor," Amon said holding Jiraya's first book, "Could you sign it for me."

"This one," Jiraya said with a laugh, his only failure of a book, "Of course, it was Minato's favorite as well."

Amon could see the raw emotion on Jiraya's face, he too was greatly affected by lose of his student.

"He will be missed by many, no one will ever match him, I am sure of that," Amon said getting up to leave.

"No, I am sure someday someone will match him, it is the way of things," Jiraya said sadly, "You take care of yourself Amon."

Amon made his way quickly to the Hokage's office wondering why the Hokage had wanted his presence. Amon noticed that Sarutobi was sitting behind his old desk looking at different papers as he waited for him.

"Sarutobi, what can I do for you?"

"Ah…Amon, we have a problem, actually we a have a number of problems, but one which we think you can help with."

"What can I do for you?"

"Naruto, Minato's son, he is the container for the fox demon, it was the only choice Minato had."

"Yeah, and what do you want?"

"You see, Minato wanted Naruto to be seen as a hero, but that is not going to happen."

"What do you mean, he is the son of Minato, and all, why would they not see as such, without him, the demon would of killed them all."

"Fear, they fear the boy, because the demon is inside, they will think of him and the demon as the same thing, and will hate him for it. They will remember that they lost so much to the demon every time they see the boy. He without parents, and even with friends of Minato possibly helping will grow up a hard life. It will be a lonely life where he is all alone. I can't do anything to change this fact, and this is why you're here."

"So you want me to take him to Taki, right?"

"Yes, at least there, the people are not stained by the memories of the fox demon, there they he is more likely to have a normal childhood, one which Minato would of wished to have seen."

Amon took a breath, thinking about the choice, before looking Sarutobi in the eye, "I will, in the honor of the greatest man I have known, I will take Naruto to Taki. This is going to be a challenge to explain, but I am sure that it will work out."

"Thank you Amon, I see why Taki was so happy to have you as its leader."

"Speaking of which, who is the next Hokage going to be?"

"Well, Amon, no one wanted the job, so it looks like I will have to return to this way," Sarutobi said with a sad smile, "You know with everything that happened, if you were still a leaf shinobi, you would have been offered the job."

"Well, I don't know if I could of taken it. Where can I pick the boy up at, it is a long journey to Taki."

"Don't worry, I am having Obito and Kakashi meet you with the boy, they are going to go with you on your way back to ensure that nothing happens."

"Good, well, thanks for everything Lord Hokage."

"Think nothing of it Lord Takikage, till we meet again."

Amon made his way back to his room where he finished packing his things to head home, it would be nice to get back to Taki. He had enjoyed his stay in Konoha, but it was time to head to his home, and sort out all of the problems that were in front of him. Walking out of the door of his room, Amon smiled as he noticed Shizune standing next to the door with a bag sitting next to her.

"Where do you think your going," Amon asked with a small smile hoping he knew the answer.

"Taki of course, I hear that their leader is in big trouble having to raise to youngsters. I thin k I may be needed to help this poor fellow out."

"Well, I am sure this poor fellow would love to have your help," Amon replied before kissing Shizune.

"So, I guess you don't mind then do you?"

"You got to be kidding, of course not, I wouldn't have it any other way. Is Tsunade ok with this."

"Yeah, she agreed that I needed to life my own life, and well this is me doing just that."

A/N- Not my best chapter, but important in that it wraps up the opening arc of the story. The story will slowly shift from this point from Amon to the next generation including Naruto and Eien. Please review if you liked it or have a idea for the story.