Disclaimer: You know, come to think of it…I'm glad I don't own Naruto. I can't draw that good…
Chap.4: Revealing the Past
(Kakashi's P.O.V)
We reached the front door of Naruto's apartment. I walked in and made myself at home on the couch. I then pulled out a scroll and summoned a box with tape covering the top.
"What's that?" Naruto asked me immediately upon seeing it.
"It's my gift along with Sakura's…well, Sakura found all the stuff inside this thing aside from an envelope with my gift in it…sorry we didn't wrap it or anything." I explained. Though I didn't show it, I was a bit worried. This gift could either make Naruto happy, or tear him apart. It may even make him stop being a ninja. However, he had to know…
Naruto looked at the box as I slid it over to him, and then turned towards me and Sakura. We nodded, and he pulled off the tape, and peeked inside. He was quiet.
"Kakashi-sensei…why are there pictures of the Yondaime and a woman in here?" the blonde asked me.
Sakura decided to answer, "Those are my gifts…Kakashi's is in the envelope right there." She then handed him a white, somewhat tattered envelope that had yet to be opened.
"…Naruto, those are pictures of…your parents." I answered.
(Naruto's P.O.V)
Did I just hear right? These two people in the photos are…my mom and dad?
"I found your birth certificate in a file in the very back of a storage room at the hospital…I think someone just chucked the file somewhere carelessly. I was lucky to find it, I thought that it was destroyed in a fire during the Sand and Sound Invasion all those years ago." Explained Sakura.
I sifted through the pictures and found it. It was torn down the middle, half of it was gone who knows where. It read:
Naruto Uzumaki
Father: Yondaime of Konoha
Mother: (the section was missing, much to my disappointment)
Born on: the 10th of October, the year of… (Also missing, but I could care less)
There it was, the signature of my father…the one and only Fourth Hokage.
I looked at the envelope I had set aside, and picked it up. My hands were trembling slightly. It had the seal of Konoha on it…and official one used by the Hokage. I opened it and pulled out a few pages of paper with writing on it. The handwriting looked like it was done in a rush, but it was legible.
"I'll let you be for a while. I'll go make some supper." Sakura said, and left the room quietly, but not before giving me a gentle squeeze around the shoulders.
Kakashi got up and walked out, but stayed by the hallway entrance. I was kind of glad he stayed…he was the only person that was here who knew my dad.
I began to read the letter.
Naruto,
This feels weird, writing to you before you can even read. Just a minute ago I was holding you in my arms, and now I've been informed that a nine-tailed demon fox has begun to ravage the outskirts of Konohagakure.
Your mother unfortunately died after giving birth to you. I wish I had more time to mourn, but the village must come first, no matter what. She saw your face, and held you for a short period of time…then gave you to the nurse and said you were beautiful. I think she knew she was dying, so she said to name you Naruto. After that, she passed away. She was a wonderful woman Naruto, and had more energy than any other girl or woman in this village. I'm sure that you'll end up inheriting that energy as well.
It is my last wish that after I seal away the demon fox (which by now, if you're as much of a rule-breaker as I was, know about being inside of you), that you be treated as a hero…but I can only imagine that the complete opposite has occurred. I also asked that know one should be informed that you are my son until you were old enough…if they knew, things may have been even worse for you.
By now it should be common knowledge of what resides in you Naruto, aside from the great chakra potential you already have, yes; I'm talking about the Kyuubi. I'm sure you know how to use the demon-fox's chakra, but promise me you'll never go overboard with it. The fox knows that if either of you dies, you will take the other one with, so I'm sure that it won't hesitate to lend you its power.
I hope that you got this letter from the right person, my former student Kakashi Hatake. He's a talented shinobi, and with any luck, he might teach you and your team some day…that is, if you become a ninja. You may not know this, but Kakashi has probably been watching over you from a distance since you were a kid. If you ever meet him, listen to what he has to say, because you're bound to learn something from him.
One other thing I hope you'll do is meet my former sensei, Jiraiya. If you do, you may be able to learn the technique I spent a few years developing, but was unable to complete, the Rasengan. It's halfway complete, and quite powerful. With your mother and my powers combined in you, chakra shouldn't be a problem…plus, the Kyuubi is always available for a boost.
(I noticed at about this point that the ink was a little blotched…and water marks were dotting the paper…had he been crying while wrote this?)
I'm sorry that we never had a chance to truly talk, Naruto. Understand though that you truly are a hero, and above all, my son. I care about you, and love you enough to die for you. You mean everything to your mother and I…that's why I died for you. Your mother did too, she was holding on by a thread, but she managed to give birth to you, and give me a son. Though we may never be 'there' physically Naruto, remember that we are a part of you…nothing will ever change that. Good luck, Son, and always aim true to your goals and dreams. Nothing is impossible for you…nothing.
Dad
I felt the sting of tears being held back, but I held them back. I had to be strong, I had to.
"He…really cared about you, Naruto…I remember him handing me the envelope and telling me to give it to you when you were old enough…and asked me to watch over you. I must have been close to your age at that time," he paused, letting me take it all in, "I was lucky to have him for a sensei. I promised myself that I wouldn't let you get into serious danger. It was the least I could do for the Fourth."
I cocked my head to the side. Did we ever meet before I became a Genin? I mean, how many times have ANBU saved me from being killed by an angry mob? I tried to recall meeting any with striking silver hair. Kakashi seemed to have read my mind.
"We meet once when you turned…oh…I think…seven. Yes, it was actually during the festival to celebrate the Kyuubi's defeat, and as always, your birthday."
Flashback
"There's the demon! Get him!" yelled voices from a group of villagers. I was running down a street, not a single person trying to help me. I was tired from already running all day without rest. By now, I was ready to quit.
I felt a sharp pain as something hit me in the back of the head, most likely a brick or stone. I felt dizzy, but tried to keep running…
I fell to the ground, and screamed at my body to get up, but with little success. I saw the mob's angry glares, and simply shut my eyes, ready to take the beating. This was probably the last one I'd ever receive with any luck. This would finish me…
A loud bang got my attention, and I looked up to see an ANBU in full gear, including an animal mask, standing between me and the blood-thirsty villagers.
"What seems to be the problem here?" asked the ANBU in a rather calm, yet serious voice.
"That…that thing is the problem!" spat an angry woman.
The ANBU looked down at me, then at the woman. He shook his head slightly.
"You mean this little boy right here?" he asked, placing a hand on my head, and ruffling my hair a little, "What did he do?"
"He's the demon-fox!" yelled a man, who looked slightly drunk.
I swore I heard the ANBU mutter the words 'idiots' under the roar of agreement from the mob, who was now moving in. I saw the ANBU get up.
"No…don't leave me…" I pleaded in a strained, hoarse whisper, hoping the ANBU would at least bring me a few feet away so I could get a head start and run. The ANBU seemed to have already planned on helping way before hand when I saw him nod while looking down at me.
"Enough, I'm taking the boy to the Hokage's so he can be dealt with properly." Spoke the silver-haired ninja as he heaved me over his shoulders. There were shouts of protest against it of course, "Did he commit any crimes?"
Silence.
"Just as I thought…go back to the festival and consider yourselves lucky that I don't have you all arrested for public violence." He finished and jumped off with me on his back.
"Thank…you…Mr. ANBU…" I croaked.
"Just rest, we'll be at the Hokage's in a bit." He spoke as I blacked out.
I awoke to find myself on a cot with a few blankets over me in the Third Hokage's house. I then heard a voice.
"Did you sleep well, Naruto?" asked the Third Hokage.
"My head really hurts." I answered, rolling over to face the elderly shinobi.
"I'll go get you some ice and a bowl of ramen. Just relax for now." Spoke the Sandaime as he got up and headed to his kitchen.
I then noticed another figure in the room, next to the balcony. It was the ANBU from earlier. I slowly got up, and walked over to him.
"Hi." I said with a smile.
The ANBU looked at me and nodded politely. Though he had a mask on, I could tell that he had a smile on his face from the kindness he had in his voice, "Glad to see you're better. You took quite a blow to the back of the head. Mind if I look."
I nodded, and turned so he could look. He spread back my hair, murmured to himself about 'healing fast' and 'I expected as much'. He then let go and spoke, "Well, it's a good thing I kept a close eye on you tonight. It's not that bad of a injury, it should be better over time." He finished with another ruffling of my hair.
I looked at him curiously, "You were watching over me tonight?"
He nodded, "Yep, I've seen how much you go through, especially on the day of the Festival."
I folded my arms, "So, how much are you getting paid?"
He laughed, "Nothing."
"Huh?"
"Yep, just doing it out of the goodness in my heart." He laughed, but I knew he meant it.
"Thank you Mr. ANBU. You and the old man are some of the only people who care about me."
"No problem. Well, I'm off now. Tell the Sandaime that I said 'bye'." He then got up to leave.
"Mr. ANBU, wait."
"What's the matter?"
"Do you…think that I can become a ninja someday too?"
He didn't hesitate for a second, "If you want to be one bad enough, then I believe you will be one someday."
I smiled, "Really? Awesome!"
"Heh, you take care of yourself, Naruto."
"Oh, one more thing! Do you think we'll meet again someday?" I asked before he jumped away.
He put a hand on his chin and thought about it this time, "I imagine so, if I don't die on a mission before then. Truthfully, this ANBU business is just a little too much for me. I might consider becoming a Jonin again."
"Maybe when I graduate the academy I can show you how strong I am!" I said while hopping up and down.
"I look forward to it." He said, and jumped off into the night.
End flashback
"Oh yeah, I guess we did meet when I was a kid."
Kakashi nodded, "Yes, and I had a feeling that we would meet again. I actually hoped to have you in my team of Genin so I could have a chance to teach you what I learned at your age."
"…was the bell test my dad's idea?"
Kakashi simply laughed.
"Kakashi-sensei, thank you." I said, feeling a tear run down my cheek.
Kakashi walked over to me and placed a hand on my shoulder, "Your father would be proud of what you've become, Naruto, I mean it. You're truly the son of the Fourth Hokage. I can only imagine what you'll be like when you're the next Hokage." He started to leave the room, "Sakura's made dinner, and it smells good. Come on, let's go eat."
I put on a grin, a fake one, but nevertheless convincing…almost.
"Naruto, if you have something you want to ask me, go ahead." Kakashi spoke, seeing my charade.
I sighed, he was almost as good as Sakura at telling my fake ones from my real ones, "Did…my father know what I would go through as a kid?"
Kakashi sighed, "Yes and no…he predicted, and was correct, that you would go through with the torment…but he hoped against all hopes that he was wrong."
"I see…well, let's go eat." I finished. A part of me felt better knowing of my heritage…but another part still needed some healing…that part could wait though.
End of Chap.4- Wow, wasn't that moving? I had written this chapter out on notebook paper more than a month ago, and know I'm content in having finished it and putting it on my story. Don't worry, I have more finished that has yet to be written.
On a side note, thank you to all who reviewed. Your opinions help drive me to continue working on this…sadly, all I can do to reward you is give you more chapters…no muffins. I love muffins, much like some reviewers of this story do. That's why it pains me to say that, I have no muffins to give…I'm sorry…sniffle.
More chappies are on the way! R&R please!