"Normal."
'Thinking.'
'Bijuu.'
"Jutsu."
XxXxX-Start
I walked through the night and into the next day, down the large path that leads away from my home. I didn't stop and I didn't think about what was going to happen to me. Everything that I once knew was gone. The warm breeze that blew against me made the black trench coat even more unbearable, but for the sake of my protection, I needed to keep the coat on. The Akatsuki could be anywhere, my new attire should keep them off my trail for a little while.
'I can't believe it has come to this… exiled from my home…' I thought once more before looking up into the sky and sighing.
'I'm sorry kit.' Kyuubi said from deep within my stomach. The Kyuubi was the main reason why I'm in this position in the first place.
'Are you? Since when did you start caring about me?' I replied.
'I've always cared! I've been healing you since the very beginning!'
'You know damn well that the only reason that you've been healing me is to keep yourself alive. If I die then you die.' It took some time for the Kyuubi to respond to this. After a couple moments of silent walking I shook my head in disgust. 'I'm right, aren't I?'
'At first, yes. The only reason that I healed you is because I wanted to live until I found a way of this cage.' I knew it. The Kyuubi never truly cared about what happens to me. Why would he? I'm just the loud mouth retard that never proved anything. 'But, I've seen how the villages treat you. How they've tortured you. And for years you've taken their anger and frustration until you were on the brink of death.'
'For so long I've watched this scene play out. My respect for you has reached a height that not even some of the other Bijuu could reach. What I did was wrong… but those villagers fully intended to kill you that day and not even my healing could have saved you.' The Kyuubi said softly.
'You thought by killing those people that you were protecting me? While I commend you for saving me that day, the killing of those villagers was not needed. And, in killing those villagers you've damned me to the clutches of the Akatsuki. I'm sorry Kyuubi, but you need to learn restraint.' I said replied coldly.
'I understand. I'll work on that.' The Kyuubi replied, neglect transparent in its voice. For some reason, I was not expecting that reaction from the demon. I thought he would act like he always did. Proud, hateful, and brash, but to actually back down from someone was unlike him at all. Maybe it did care about me… slightly.
XxXxX-Three Days later
"What's this meeting about, Kakashi? I should be with my team training!" Gai shouted at the top of his lungs in the normal way that he does. Kakashi flinched slightly at the mention of a team.
"I wonder what the Hokage has summoned us for. It must be important if all the Jonin are here." Kurenai said. Kakashi didn't say anything. A look of complete loss was in his only visible eye.
"Kakashi, are you okay? You don't look so good." Gai stated, but before Kakashi could respond, the door to the Hokage's office opened up. There stood Tsunade with Shizune in tow. Everyone quieted down as the Hokage moved past them and sat behind her desk.
"Does any of you know why I've called you all here?" Tsunade asked softly. It looks as if the Hokage had been crying. Kakashi quickly looked out the window as the rest of the Jonin looked confused.
"No ma'am. None of us do." Asuma replied. Tsunade nodded before continuing.
"Then it has been kept quiet until now. You've done well, Kakashi." Tsunade said. Kakashi flinched before nodding. Everyone looked over at Kakashi then back to Tsunade.
"What's going on?" Kurenai asked.
"Does everyone know who Naruto Uzumaki is" Tsunade asked. Several grins arose from the present Jonin.
"You mean that hard headed, hardworking, loud baka that wins the hearts of all? Yeah, I think everyone here knows who is." Shikaku said with a wide grin on his face. "Why? Did something happen that involves Naruto? You wouldn't call us here if it wasn't important."
"Always perspective, Shikaku. Yes, it does involve Naruto. Does any of you know about the killings of the seven villagers yesterday?" Tsunade asked as she stood up and walked to the window behind her.
"We've heard rumors of what's happened. Apparently they were all killed in some back alley, right?" Gai replied. Shikaku eyes suddenly widened.
"Wait! That wasn't…!" Shikaku started, but Tsunade stayed silent.
"Shikaku, what wrong?" Chouza asked.
"Hokage-sama, was it Naruto who killed those people?" Shikaku asked. Several of the Jonin gasped at the accusation.
"You can't be serious Shikaku! Naruto would never kill innocent people, even if it brought himself physical harm!" Tsume shouted in defense. Several Jonin began to immediately dismiss the theory, but Tsunade then hushed the Jonin.
"Think about it! I've seen the photos of the crime scene and there was no bodies, just smears of blood and ripped apart organs on the ground and walls. Which means…" Shikaku started.
"The Kyuubi took over." Kakashi finished.
"It's true that Naruto killed those seven villagers that day. Whether or not the Kyuubi took over… we are not so sure…" Tsunade said, after she said this though it felt like someone just thumped her heart. She knew that Naruto would never hurt those people unless the Kyuubi interfered in some way.
"There is no way Naruto would hurt another unless provoked. Even then he would do his best to avoid injuring others. What must have happened was…" Shikaku theorized.
"He was about to die from the amount of physical damage taken and the Kyuubi either lent some of his strength to Naruto or was taken over by the Kyuubi itself in order to protect Naruto." Tsunade finished. Shikaku raised an eyebrow at this. "This was my case when it was confirmed that Naruto had been the one that killed the villagers."
"So there has already been a court case for him then… that means they've brought up the Sound Shinobi incident as well." Shikaku said meekly.
"More ammunition in the elder's eyes." Tsunade replied.
"Sound Shinobi incident?" Chouza asked in confusion.
"It was all very hush hush, but apparently Naruto was harboring two injured Sound Shinobi in his apartment after the Chunin exams. From what the elders said they were spies sent to steal secrets from our village, but this point was argued and simply swept under the rug by the Hokage." Shikaku explained.
"It seems that it has come back to haunt our little hyper active shinobi." Gai stated.
"If the court case is already done then that means only you were there to defend him. Meaning the rest of us could not plead as well." Shikaku said, trying to piece everything together.
"Yes, everything was quickly rushed through the system in an attempt to get as little notoriety as possible." Tsunade said as she balled her hands into fists. "Kakashi wasn't even informed until halfway through the trial."
"What happened to him? Is he being held in a prison cell, or is he on probation?" Tsume asked, worry evident in her voice.
"He has been exiled from the village." Kakashi said in a very emotionless tone.
"Exiled! Are the elders mad! What if the Akatsuki find him! What will happen then?!" Chouza shouted in rage.
"I don't know." Tsunde said quietly, but none of the Jonin heard her.
"What will happen to our stance with the other villages?" Another of the Jonin cried.
"I don't know…" Tsunade said quietly once more. Still, the Jonin continued to cry out in rage at the verdict. Tears began to form in Tsunade's eyes as more and more question began to barrage her.
"I DON'T KNOW!" Tsunade shouted. Everyone immediately quieted down at the sudden outburst from their leader. Tears fully streaming down her face at this point. "I don't know what will happen to him. I don't know what the other villages will think. I-just-don't-know!"
A heavy silence fell over the elite group of Shinobi. Their leader, the most powerful ninja in the village, had no idea what to do next. Shikaku sighed and looked away from the crying Hokage and over to Kakashi, who was silent and still looking out the window.
'What now? Naruto has been exiled from the village, the Hokage is a mess, and Kakashi won't step in to calm her. This is bad…' Shikaku thought.
"I know that Naruto meant a lot to you Tsunade-sama, but crying over it won't solve anything." Shikaku stated, but Tsunde lifted up a piece of paper. It was rolled up and able to fit into a pouch of a messenger bird.
"Do you know what this is?" Tsunade as she wiped the tears away from her eyes. The Jonin shook his head. "This is a statement that I've got to send to all the Hidden villages saying that Naruto, our faithful shinobi and friend, has gone rouge after the killing of innocent bystanders. Naruto Uzumaki is to be added to the bingo book immediately under an S-Class ranking and is to be brought in dead."
"What! I thought he was exiled?! Why would he be added to the missing ninja book?!" Gai shouted.
"The harboring of the Sound Shinobi was the primary thing that got him exiled. The killing of the villagers brought this into fruition." Tsunade said softly.
"So… Naruto is now considered a kill on sight target...?" Tsume asked. Tsunade didn't reply, lest more tears appear. At this, Kakashi turned and left the office.
'This village is going crazy.' Kakashi thought as he closed the doors to the Hokage's office behind him.
XxXxX
"So, this is Okashi." I said to no one in particular. I've traveled for what… seven days? I was in no rush to go anywhere in particular and the use of chakra to move from place to place would just be wasteful. I have been doing some training off and on. Mostly minor genjutsu that would help me steal food when I begin to run out and training my Kage Bushin. The city of Okashi sat atop a hill in the Northern part of the Land of Fire. It was surrounded by a wall at the base of the hill with a flat plains surrounding it. Large trees sprang up from inside the walls. The sight was very beautiful due to the sun reflecting off the golden grass.
'You know, if the Atasuki come for you then you don't stand a chance.' Kyuubi stated as we look over the large plains. A soft breeze pushed against my coat as I lowered my scarf slightly.
'Yeah, I know, but there isn't enough training in the world that would catch me up to their level in such a short amount of time.' I replied.
'Just you wait. I'm planning something that may surprise you…' Kyuubi said under his breath.
'What did you say?'
'Nothing. Aren't you tired of camping every night?' Kyuubi asked, changing the subject.
'Yeah, but It's safest if I don't go into a large town like this one.'
'I doubt the Akatsuki are all the way up here. If I had to guess, they are probably still around Konoha looking for you.'
'What makes you think the Akatsuki haven't heard about my exile?'
'If that Hokage of yours truly wants to protect you then she would have done everything in her power to keep it quiet. She knows the applications of going public about this.'
'You're right, but what if they force her to do it? The elders have seized a lot of power when the Third died.'
'Well there is only one way to find out.' The Kyuubi stated. I sighed and looked over to Okashi again.
'Fine, we'll see what the word from Konoha is and restock on food and water, but that's it.' I said with a firm stance. The Kyuubi agreed with this and I soon found myself leaving the safety of the tree line. As I walked across the extremely large field I noticed a girl with brown hair and tan skin laying on the golden grass. I tilted my head to one side.
'I wonder if she's okay?' I thought as I approached her. I lifted my scarf up and pulled my hoof further over my head, thus blocking the top and lower portion of my face. I stopped next to her and looked down. She was about my age and was wearing a white jacket, shirt, shorts, and ninja shoes. Her hair was tied up into a ponytail with a white ribbon.
"Umm… are you okay?" I asked aloud. That was the first time I've spoken to anyone since I was exiled. The girl, who was laying on her side, stirred slightly.
"No, I don't want to eat that…" The girl mumbled as she slowly flipped to her back. Her eyes were closed, signaling she was sleeping. I smiled and began to turn to leave when I heard her say something. "Who the hell are you?!"
I looked over my shoulder and saw she was leaning up on her elbow and staring at me with an angry expression. She had green eyes and was reaching into her pouch. A white banded symbol, signifying she was a shinobi, was wrapped around her arm. 'Shit, a Leaf ninja.'
"I asked you a question! Who are you and what is your purpose here?" The girl demanded. Should I run? Should I fight? Should I lie? All these options arose while I watched the slender girl stand from her laying position.
"Is it not generous to give ones name before asking another's?" I replied. The girl gave me a sort of 'humf' expression.
"Fine, my name is Miku. Miku Chikako and I'm a Leaf shinobi!" Miku stated proudly. "Now, what is your name?"
"Just call me Kuro." I replied.
"Okay then, 'Kuro', what is your business here?" Miku asked.
"Just coming to stock up on supplies is all."
"Uh huh, well how do I know you're not a spy trying to infiltrate Okashi?" Miku asked with a suspicious look on her face.
"Miku! What are you doing? Why are bothering this poor traveler?" Another voice said from behind Miku. A man in a Chunin uniform was walking up behind her.
"This 'poor traveler' was standing over me a minute ago suspiciously. He could be a spy from the Sound village!" Miku shouted. The Chunin shook his head and looked over at me.
"I'm sorry about this sir, but Miku here tends to get a little riled up when someone new comes." The Chunin said with a smile. "If anything, this boy was checking to see if you were okay. Since you were laying the ground… SLEEPING!"
"Oh, yeah, about that… well, I was just checking something on the ground and… uh Kuro will tell you it's true! Right Kuro?!" Miku said. I tilted my head to the side in question. What in the hell is going on?
"Umm… sure?" I replied, unsure of how to approach the situation before me. The Chunin sighed and shrugged.
"Fine, whatever, just don't bother this poor boy. In fact, you are to escort him and show him around town. Make sure he's well taken care of." The Chunin said before turning and walking away.
"Hold on! I've got to babysit this guy?!" Miku shouted. The Chunin waved over his shoulder as he walked away.
"Have fun!" The Chunin shouted back. Miku sighed and turned towards me once more.
"Fine, I guess I'll be the one to show you around town. Follow me." Miku said in defeat.
"Look, Miku, you don't have to do this if you don't want to…" I started, but Miku shook her head.
"No, I don't, but I love showing this town and all it has to offer to new people. This is my hometown after all." Miku said. I smirked from underneath my scarf. She was just like me when I was in Konoha…
XxXxX
"Sorry I was so mean to you earlier. It's just we are in the northern territory and near the border with Sound. It's just best not to take risks." Miku said as we walked down the street. The town looked to be built around massive trees that are extremely old. "So, I haven't even seen your face. Is there something under that hood of yours?"
I shook my head and pulled down my scarf, just to prove to her that I'm human.
"So there is something! You also don't talk very often, do you? That's fine! You seem like a very nice person even though you are extremely quiet." Miku said with a smile. I nodded and began to look around. She showed me around the city, where the market was, where the utilities shops are, and finally the ninja counter. "This is where ninja's go and apply for missions. All forward HQ's have a commander, but this board is where you can ask for specific ones that might interest your team. Since I'm only a Genin, my Jonin is the one that applies for us. Even though they are extremely easy…"
"Sometimes I wish we could go on harder missions so we can get a higher ranking!" Miku said while pumping her chest. I smiled and shook my head. "What are you smiling at, Kuro!"
"Don't rush it. Trust me." I replied. "You'll become a strong ninja one day, I can at least see that."
Miku's face became slightly red as she turned away. "Thank you, Kuro."
Miku stayed silent for another moment as she began to look around until finally spotting a clock on the wall. "Ah! Would you like to meet my team? They're really nice… except for one, but everyone else is great!"
I nodded my head, what else would do? As Miku turned to leave I quickly grabbed a little book that was free for anyone interested. On the cover of the book it read "Missing ninja".
XxXxX
"Miku-chan!" A boy shouted as Miku and I approached a group of people, most likely her teammates. I've followed Miku to a small piazza with a fountain in the center. The piazza was surrounded by two story buildings and extremely tall trees with four benches circling the small fountain.
The boy, around our age, attempted to hug Miku, but Miku punched the boy in the face, sending him into one of the large trees. "Back off, Souta!"
'That interaction… reminds me of how I used to act around Sakura.' I thought with a smile.
"That hurt, Miku-chan!" Souta shouted. Souta had short black hair with a brown jacket and black shorts/shoes. His eyes where brown as well with bright skin and a headband around his forehead.
"Who might your friend be, Miku?" Another voice said from the side. I turned to see an older man with black hair and grey eyes looking down on us. He wore the average Jonin uniform like most other Jonin.
"Ah, this is Kuro." Miku said brightly.
"The names Kaito. Nice to meet you." Kaito said with a bright smile while extending his hand. I looked at his hand for a moment before shaking it. Something is… off about him.
'This boy sure is careful for someone so young…' Kaito thought.
"Where is Miyu? Wasn't she with you guys?" Miku asked as she looked around. Then I felt someone behind me, but when I turned a found a girls face almost touching mine. I stood there, staring into this girls brown eyes for what seemed like ages. She look almost, bored? Tired? She reminded me of Sasuke in a way. Her hair was green and she was slightly shorter than me, thus making her stand her toes to do this. She wore a green dress with black under shorts, like Sakura. Her headband rested around her neck.
"Umm… Miyu? This is Kuro." Miku said. Miyu continued to stare at me, unable to see underneath my hood, I think, until she finally nodded her head and walked past me.
"So why did you go on a date with this guy, a total stranger, and not me! I don't get-!" Souta shouted before getting socked in the stomach.
"We didn't go on a date! I was ordered to show him around town!" Miku shouted with a slight blush on her face.
"Don't worry about them, Kuro. They're always like this." Kaito said with a large grin on his face. I nodded and looked back to the three and smiled softly. An image popped into my head of the old Team 7.
"Hey Kuro!" I looked up to see Souta pointing at me with a large smile on his face. "I challenge you to a dual! The winner gets to take Miku-chan on a date!"
"Souta, you baka! Kuro isn't even a ninja!" Miku shouted. Souta faltered for a moment as he stared at me.
"Wait, really? You look like one though." Souta said in disbelief.
"Sorry, but it looks like Kuro wins then!" Miku said.
"What? How?!" Souta shouted.
"Well you challenged him to a dual that he can't accept, meaning he wins!" Miku said as she jumped over to my side with a giant smile on her face. I raised a brow at this.
"What does he have that I don't have, huh? He hasn't said a single word since he arrived! How would you know that he's not a shinobi?!" Souta asked. Miku turned to me with a face that screamed 'HELP ME'. I sighed and shook my head.
"No, I'm not a shinobi. Sorry." I said. Souta crossed his arms and scoffed.
"Still, what does he have that I don't have?" Souta asked.
"Well he doesn't constantly bother me like you do!" Miku shouted. I backed away from the two as they went at it again. Kaito walked up next to me and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Are you really a shinobi?" Kaito asked. I nodded ever so slightly. Kaito patted me on the shoulder again and grinned.
"Fine! I'll go on my date with Kuro and it's going to be the best one ever!" Miku shouted before turning and grabbing my arm. Miku then proceeded to drag me away from her team.
"I hope you have fun with that silent freak!" Souta shouted. Miku dragged me along until we were out of earshot before releasing my arm.
"We aren't really going on a date, are we?" I asked.
"No, I just wanted to not go on a date with Souta. Man that guy is so annoying! I mean he does this every day!" Miku complained before throwing her hands up in the air. "He's just too hardheaded to get it!"
I laughed slightly after hearing this. "Remind you of anyone?'
'Yeah, I miss those days…'
"Yes!" Miku cheered. I tilted my head to the side. "Got a laugh out of you! I'm making progress."
"Heh, yeah, I guess you are." Since when have I become so quiet?
We continued to walk down the street when Miku turned to me with a big smile. "Hey do you want to meet my parents? I think they'd love to have someone over for dinner!"
"Umm.. I don't think…" I replied before Miku grabbed my arm and began to pull.
"Oh shush you. It'll be great! I've already shown you my team. Might as well show my place!" Miku said. I sighed and shook my head.
"Fine, I'll see your place, but I refuse to stay for dinner." I said. Miku put up a fake frown.
"Why not? It'll be a blast!"
"We've only known each other for a day. I'm sorry, but I feel like I would intruding." I replied firmly. Miku pouted for a moment before nodding her head.
"Okay, but for some reason it feels like I've known you for so much longer."
XxXxX
When we arrived, I quickly realized her parents must be rich because her place was huge! Miku's house is about the size of a mansion! "Wow."
"I know what you're thinking. 'I'm a spoiled brat that gets everything she wants', but my parents made me work for everything I own." Miku said proudly. I nodded my head, meaning that I believe her. "You know, I'm slowly getting used to your silent behavior."
As we walked up the pathway towards her house, Miku began to explain why her family has so much money. "You see, my family owns some of the local lumber mills and makes plenty of money. These lumber mills delivers lumber to all the nations, especially the Leaf."
We stopped at her front door and a man wearing a black suit stood next to the giant doors. "Hello Madam Chikako. How was your day?"
"Hello, and I've been well, thank you!" Miku said as the butler opened the door for us.
"Would you like someone to show your friend the grounds?" The butler asked.
"No thank you. I'll show him around myself." Miku replied kindly.
"As you wish madam."
Miku showed me everything. The kitchen, the garden, EVERYTHING. It took about two hours and the day was slowly becoming night. "So that's it! What do you think?"
"It's amazing, Miku. Your family is doing well for themselves." I replied.
"Thank you. Tell me, you say you're a traveler, right?" Miku asked. I nodded my head in the affirmative. "Where are you going?"
I stopped walking for a moment, thinking about the best answer for that question. "Sorry, sorry! You don't have to answer that if you don't want to. It's just, ever since you've arrived here I don't know a thing about you. I mean, I know your name, or your alias, but that's it."
"To be honest, I've got no idea. I suppose I'm trying to find that out myself." I replied. Miku stared at me for a moment, contemplating what I've just said.
"I see. Tell me, where did you come from?" Miku asked. I shook my head.
"Sorry, but I can't tell you that."
"What? Why not?"
"It's a secret. I'm sorry, but maybe one day."
"Fine, fine. Let's just go meet my parents. They should be in the study." Miku said, a little disappointment evident in her voice. As we walked down towards the study I noticed that we were about to pass a bathroom.
"Can you give me moment? I know where the study is. I'll be there in a moment." I said. Miku nodded and continued to walk down the hall towards the study. I walked in and splashed water onto my face and looked up into mirror that sat over the sink. I looked into my hooded face, only seeing the bottom portion of my face. Suddenly, a book fell out of my pocket. I looked down and saw the "Missing Ninja" book from before. I leaned down and picked it up.
'I wonder…' I began to flip through the pages until I saw it. My hands began to shake while I read the name on the page.
'Kit, this is bad… real bad.' Kyuubi said. S-class missing ninja… KOS (Kill On Sight) order issued by the Village of the Leaf. Wanted only dead.
'Now my own village wants me dead…' I thought as I leaned against the wall, my trembling hands barely holding onto the book. At least the picture was of me without having any of my new clothes.
'You need to get out of this town and fast. You're lucky that you've kept your hood on for so long. If you haven't then we would probably be in trouble.' Kyuubi said.
'But I can't just leave. If I do then it'll look strange.'
'That's true. Okay, go to the study and talk it up, but do not take you hood off. Then you need to get out of here as fast as possible.' I agreed and quickly pulled myself together. I placed the book back into my pocket and exited the bathroom. I made my way to the study and opened the doors to it. The study was just like any other study. Lined with books with a fireplace on one side. Four chairs sat in the middle of the room with a coffee table in the center. A butler stood outside the door, within earshot if anyone inside needed anything. Miku sat in one the leather chairs while another, older, man sat in the one opposite of her. The two turned and looked at me when I entered the large study. The older man had graying hair and was slightly overweight.
"Ah, you must be Kuro." The older man said as he laid down his book and stood. He extended his hand and I accepted it. "Pleased to meet you. My name is Goro Chikako and I'm Miku's father."
I nodded my head, telling him that I understood. "Kuro's very quiet by the way. He doesn't like to talk a lot." Miku stated.
"I can see why you like him then! You are the talker and having someone so quiet that will listen to you makes you a perfect pair!" Goro said with a laugh. Miku blushed deeply after hearing this.
"Be quiet you jerk! I've only met him today!" Miku shouted.
"Oh, but look how close you two have become! I don't think you've ever become so attached to anyone before!" Goro said, enjoying the embarrassment on his daughters face.
"Dad!" Miku shouted. Smiled at the interaction between the two of them.
Suddenly, the door to the study opened to reveal a women. She was short and younger than the man. Her hair was black hair and she was extremely skinny. "Goro, if you'd please."
"Ah, Rie. Please come and meet-." Goro began, but was cut off by his wife, presumably.
"Goro, now." Rie said quickly before shooting me a look of disgust and leaving the doorway. Goro sighed and stood from his chair.
"If you would excuse me. Rie sometimes acts weird around new people." Goro said before standing and leaving the room. Miku looked completely lost at her mom's reaction to me being there.
"Mom never acts like this. I wonder what's going on?" Miku wondered aloud, but I knew. That look Rie gave me. The look of pure disgust and anger. I knew exactly what's going on.
'Do you think? The Kyuubi asked.
'She knows somehow. I need to get out of here.' I thought as I stood from my seat.
"You okay, Kuro?" Miku asked. I looked over at her before smiling and walking to the door. "Where are you going?"
"I just need some air is all." I said before opening the door and walking out. I looked down one way of the hall and Miku's parents weren't there. I quickly walked down the halls of Miku's mansion and saw absolutely no butlers. This was bad.
I left the mansion, meeting no resistance and I could feel my body begin to slowly burn. It was like my chakra in my body was burning my veins. As I walked down the street towards the exit, however, I felt the presence of other people around me. I stopped and looked behind me. Nobody.
'Shit, there are ninja tailing me.' I thought as I returned to walking down the street towards the gate.
I could see the gate now. It was within sight, but I knew better. The people tailing me wouldn't let me leave so easily. As I walked, Miyu walked out of an alley in front of me.
"You know, I knew I've seen your face before, Naruto Uzumaki. What's an S-Class missing ninja doing here?" Miyu asked.
'So she did see my face back there. Miyu did look like the thoughtful one of the group.' I thought as I felt several ninjas landing around me. I looked around me and saw at least seven Chunin surrounding me.
"Armed and extremely dangerous. Must take extreme caution before approaching and must have a group." Miyu was repeating the words on the book. "You don't look so tough to me."
'Kit, I know you don't want to hear this, but I have a proposition for you.' The Kyuubi said.
'What are you talking about? What are you planning?' I replied.
'I know you don't trust me, and to be honest, I don't trust me either. So, for the past nine days I've been thinking of a way to fuse my chakra with yours, and I think I've found a way.'
'Fuse my chakra with yours?'
'Yes, but I won't begin the fusing process without your consent first.'
'What's the catch?'
'When I fuse my chakra with yours, you'll begin to see a physical difference. At first, it will be minor, but over time you will begin to see a notable difference in your body. Your eyes, your hair… your DNA will begin to gradually give into my demonic chakra.' The Kyuubi stated quietly in my mind. By the way the Kyuubi ended his last sentence, though, that was not the only bad news that comes with enormous power.
'That's not all, is it?' I asked. I could feel the Kyuubi shake his head.
'Just like the changes to your body, as my chakra begins to fuse with yours, my chakra will begin to attack you and damage you. The more you use it, the more my chakra will flood into your system. The demonic chakra will gradually begin to overwhelm your system as you master my chakra, killing you in the process.' The Kyuubi said solemnly.
'So… what you're proposing is something that will shorten my life considerably… and kill me?'
'Yes, but take note that my healing will stop any damage for a very long time. If, by accepting my offer, I would be able to focus on only healing you and nothing else while you can use my chakra as you see fit.' The Kyuubi said.
'How long until I start feeling the pain of your chakra?' I asked as I looked around me. The Chunin are either scared, knowing my true identity, or waiting for something.
'I'm not sure, but if you were to use my chakra constantly then two years, but that would be impracticable. With constant training with my chakra and pushing yourself daily… about fifteen or twenty years. After that my healing cannot stop the pain, but only sooth it.'
'I see.' I said as I looked and noticed the Chunin begin to grin. Another, more powerful, ninja has appeared. As well as…
"What's going on here?!" A voice said from behind me. I turned and saw Miku standing behind the surrounding Chunin. "Kuro, what's going on?"
"Miku, stand back please." Kaito said as he appeared next to Miku. "Your friend here is actually an S-Class missing ninja called Naruto Uzumaki."
'There you are, you where the reason the Chunin where waiting to engage.' I thought.
'So what's it going to be, kit. I can begin the fusing process now and you'll be granted some of my chakra right now. I've been doing the prep work all day, but have not committed to it yet. But I think you're going to need it if we are going to survive this.' I sighed as I looked over at Miku. To become the monster that I swore that I would never be… how could I? I've devoted my life to keeping the Kyuubi chained back from the rest of the world, and now? Now I'm going to be slowly consumed by the very thing that I swore to hold back. 'Just note this, young one. Once you accept my offer, there's no going back. I cannot stop the process once it begins.'
'I have one last question before I decide.'
'What's that?'
'What will happen to you when a majority of your chakra is fused into me?' The Kyuubi began to laugh deeply at this.
'You are truly something else, Naruto Uzumaki. To actually care about me when you're the one that will be receiving my power!' The Kyuubi shouted. After a moment the Kyuubi calmed down. 'I'll be just a figment of your imagination. A wisp inside you that will be there when you want to talk. The only power that I'll hold would be the healing of your body at that point.'
'I see.' I replied as I looked around me. 'What about just borrowing your chakra like before? Why can't we do that?'
'You saw what happens when I take over! If I lend you my power then my anger comes with it. Instead, I'm giving you the option of having complete control of that power, but at the cost of damaging yourself.'
'So I'll shoulder your hatred instead of others… and I'll have complete control over this chakra?'
'Yes. I will not interfere in any way, but note that while I'm giving you chakra, I can't give you any in the traditional way like before. You'll be on your own with no help from me. All be able to do is heal you and give you advise.'
I stood there, thinking, while the Leaf ninja simply stared at me. Waiting for me to make the first move. This was a huge decision while alter my life. Will I give up half of my life for power? I'm sure others have been asked this question and the righteous answer would be life, but here, now, is truly right? The world seemed to be turning its back on me and the only way for me to survive, to live, was to cut my life in half. I conceded to this fact and was now ready to fully embrace this power with all its drawbacks that came with it. 'Do it.'
The Kyuubi nodded. 'Buy me some time. Just live for as long as possible.'
Miku stopped and stared at me for a moment before shaking her head. "No… no way. That can't be right!"
It hurt to hear those words. To lie to a friend. To watch them call you a monster and turn their back on you. "Kuro-kun! Tell me they're lying! Please!" Miku pleaded, tears evident in her eyes. I didn't reply. It hurt too much to watch as another bond that I've so carefully crafted was torn away from me once more. Even if this bond was made by chance.
"I never wanted to for any of this to happen. I'm so sorry, Miku." I said softly. "I'm so surprised that when I came to this town that I made another bond, another friend, but slowly I'm beginning to realize that I can't have any bonds. No matter how hard I try, I'm always seen as a monster in the eyes of others."
"What are you talking about?! You're my age! How are you an S-Class missing ninja?!" Miku asked as she attempted to walk towards me, but was held back by Kaito.
"If I told you what I truly was… the reason my home village, Konoha, hates me so much. I think you would hate me too." I said softly.
"What do you mean?! What could you have done that made them do this to you?" Miku shouted. Miyu also looked relatively interested.
"This boy, Naruto Uzumaki, took thousands of innocent lives from us twelve years ago." Kaito said with a stern look on his face. Miku gasped as she stared at me, tears falling down her face. "And now, just recently, he killed seven more innocent villagers in cold blood. Indeed, how could just a mere child be so heartless unless it was born a monster? A demon!"
I watched as Miku's face shifted from shock, to disbelief. Miyu, too, was also shocked at what she heard. I could feel the emotions begin flood into me, like a damn that was just burst open.
"H-how?" Miku asked. How could I respond? How could someone, just a tool that was used by some higher power, explain how it was used? Tears began to fall down my face as I began to realize just the amount of hate was thrust onto my shoulders. "Kuro-kun?"
"I see now., just how deep the hate towards me goes. I've been raped, persecuted, and tortured until my mind was about to snap…" I said aloud, past the tears that now streamed down my cheeks. I couldn't take it anymore. The truth, everything the villagers have done to me, it hurt too much. "And only now, as I've watched my friends turn their backs on me, I've come to realize just how alone I am in this world."
Everyone sat still for a moment, as if basking in the words of what I've just said. Miku took a step backwards after hearing this.
"Friends are people that can share secrets with one another and lean on one another. Was my friends back in Konoha really my friends at all if all I've done to them is lie about what I am? About the demon that rests inside me?" I said between sobs, releasing all my emotions onto the ten Leaf ninja around me.
"Wait… that means?" Miyu said. I nodded my head.
"Sealed inside me, is the Kyuubi no Kitsune. The demon that killed all those people that day, twelve years ago." I said as I placed a hand on my stomach. Miku took a step forward, again being stopped by Kaito. Kaito didn't seem to be affected by what I've just said. If anything he looked happy. "I suppose this means that you are going to hate me too, Miku. I don't blame you. Everyone else, all my friends, are probably living happier lives without me there."
"You are the demon reincarnate and with you leaving that place, you have surely made their lives easier." Kaito said as he walked towards me, kunai in hand. I began to shake as I dropped my cloaked head into my scarf. "And with your death, you will be the sacrifice needed for avenging the people you killed that day."
"Kaito-sensei? What are you doing? You've never acted like this before?" Miyu asked in astonishment. Miku stood there, paralyzed as she watched her sensei walk towards me.
'Does she hate me too for what I am?' I thought as Kaito stopped in front of me with a maddening look on his face. I saw something in him snap as he stood next to me. His normal, stern, eyes gave way to a something that would be only seen in an insane asylum.
"Oh, no struggle at all? For a demon you sure are giving up easily!" Kaito said as he lifted back my hood, revealing my head and upper portion of my face.
'But… but he looks no different than a normal boy!' Miku thought as Kaito began to laugh as he ran the kunai over my face, wiping up some of the tears running down my cheek before cutting it.
"Oh how I've waited for this day to come! When Miyu told me that you looked like someone in the "missing ninja" book named Naruto Uzumaki, you have no idea how overjoyed I was!" Kaito shouted in enthusiasm. I looked over at Miku with a feeling of regret in my heart.
"Maybe… maybe it's best if you kill me. Then I won't have to go on living this terrible life any longer." I said softly. Miku and Miyu gasped at what I said. Kaito laughed loudly in enjoyment.
"Yes! YES! This is the feeling I want to see! Despair!" Kaito shouted as he walked behind me with a look of insanity on his face. I could feel the cold steel of the kunai run along my neck, leaving small slices here and there. Until finally I felt a hand run along the cut on my cheek.
"You have no idea how long I've waited for this day to come, demon boy! All I want to do is torture you, destroy you, defile you, until you are nothing left, but a sack of skin wanting to die!" Kaito said as he licked up the blood from my cheek.
I've seen people like him before. They see me not as a boy with feelings, but the Kyuubi in a fragile human form. So they would do anything to break my mind, even rape, to get what the desired reaction they wanted.
"Now boys! What should we do with him first?!" Kaito shouted. The chunin around us looked surprised at Kaito's secret desire. "Should we tie him up and slice him up slowly, watching the blood run down his body? Or maybe we could even take turns with the little maggot!"
Kaito then turned and kicked my hard in the stomach. I bent over, grabbing my stomach in pain as I gasped for air. "Uh, Kaito? What's wrong with you? You've never acted this way. Not even an S-Class missing ninja deserves this."
Kaito turned to the Chunin that said that with an expression that could only be conveyed as death. "You… you little shit! How dare you talk to me like that in my moment of ecstasy!"
As Kaito began to walk towards the chunin I lifted my arm and grabbed his sleeve. Making him stop and turn around. I looked up at the powerful Jonin, tears still streaming down my face. "Please, don't hurt him. It's me that you want so badly."
Kaito grinned widely and kicked me in the stomach once more, sending me into a nearby tree near Miku. "If that is your last wish, demon!"
I looked over to see Miku, still staring at me with tears running down her face. I pushed myself off of the tree and flinched as I grabbed my arm in pain. My right arm was broken. "Naruto-kun?"
I looked up to see Miku slowly walking towards me. "I-I'm so sorry."
I tilted my head to the side. "What are you sorry for? You have every right to hate me. I probably deserve it."
"No! No you don't! What the people of the village have done to you. What Kaito is doing to you! It isn't right!" Miku said as she stopped in front of me. "None of this right. How everyone is treating you."
So she doesn't hate me, but… "I must shoulder this burden alone. I'm sorry, but I don't want you to-"
"Like hell I'm going to do that." Miku said as she pulled out a kunai and stood in between me and Kaito. "You're my friend and I won't just stand by and watch as my friend is tortured in front of me."
"What are you doing, Miku. Are you protecting this missing ninja? If so then you will be considered a traitor as well." Kaito said.
"This is crazy! The look on your face when you look at Naruto-kun. What's wrong with you?! This is not the Kaito-sensei I know! The Kaito-sensei I knew always stood for the protection of the weak and innocent!" Miku shouted.
"That's precisely what I'm doing! That boy behind you has killed thousands of innocent people! Those people must be avenged!" Kaito shouted.
"Naruto-kun didn't kill those people! The Kyuubi sealed within him has! Why must he suffer for the deeds of another?!" Miku shouted in anger.
"Because he has the demon sealed within him, that's why!" Kaito shouted before throwing a kunai at Muki, but the kunai was deflected before it made it to Muki. There stood Miyu, looking rather conflicted. "You too?"
"This is madness, Kaito-sensei. I don't know what's gotten over you, but you need to calm down." Miyu said calmly. Kaito laughed loudly at this.
"Calm down?! Like hell! I finally have the demon boy within my grasp and you ask me to calm down?!" Kaito shouted as he laughed. He finally stopped laughing and glared at the two girls in front of me. "If don't move out of the way then I'll have to cut you both down on the grounds of assisting a traitor to the village."
The two girls flinched at this. "Well if you think we're moving then-" Miku started, but I placed my hand of her shoulder from behind. When she looked over her shoulder towards me, my hood was back on and my eyes where glowing a bright crimson red.
'I take it you're ready?' I thought to the Kyuubi.
"Yeah. You should have enough chakra in your system to fight this guy.' The Kyuubi said.
"Thank you, Miku-chan, Miyu-chan, but I don't want you girls to be seen as traitors to the village." I said as I walked past them. I could feel it, the power that was now circulating through my system. I stared at Kaito, and noticed I could see his veins, his blood flow, his heart.
"You two don't deserve the same fate as me. Miku, you have a pure heart that will take you far in life. I don't ever want to see that disappear from this world." I said.
"Naruto-kun…" Miku said softly.
Kaito began to laugh hysterically as I approached him. "Do you really think that a demon boy like you can beat a Jonin?! Huh?! Who do you think you are?!" Kaito shouted.
'He's losing it. His blood flow is abnormal and his eyes are all over the place.' I thought as pulled out a kunai. My right arm stung when I tried to move it.
'Kit, remember that he's still a Jonin. Be careful. I'll get to work on your arm.' The Kyuubi said. I nodded my head as I held out my kunai in front of me. I slowly began to pool some of the chakra into my feet.
"Let's begin." I shot forwards. I could feel my speed increase even more as I pooled my chakra into my feet as Kaito was just barely able to block my strike towards his neck. Kaito retaliated by quickly going through some seals and, at point blank range, filling up his lungs with air.
"A fire jutsu this close will…?" I said as a glint passed through in his eyes. At this point Kaito didn't care what happened. He just wanted to hurt me. Kill me. The fire jutsu exploded into me, sending flying backwards. I could see that I passed through the gate as I skipped across the ground several times. I finally stopped in the giant field that surrounds the town of Okashi. I could finally feel my broken arm again, but I was still unable to move it. The Kyuubi is working fast…
I felt the heat of another fire jutsu and my instincts quickly kicked in. I dashed to the side, just barely dodging the attack. I looked up and saw Kaito clapping his hands. "You have good instincts, demon boy, but that doesn't mean shit against me! If you think that borrowing power from the demon is going to save you then think again!"
With my right arm still broken I can't perform any seals, meaning the only thing that I could rely on is my speed and the kunai in my left hand. 'You know, when you accepted my power there are some more benefits than just the pure raw power of my chakra.'
'How so? What else is there?'
'Now is not the time to list them all off, but one is the immediate control of your chakra in your body. Which means...' My eyes widened from underneath my hood. I dropped my kunai to the ground and began to grin.
I began to move the chakra around in my body with relative ease. It was so easy! I then pushed the small amount of chakra to my right hand as I formed a single handed seal. Kaito's eyebrow went up for a moment.
'A single handed seal? I thought only high level Jonin could do those.' Kaito thought as he dashed towards me, but just as was he about to connect the kunai to my chest, two clones appeared next to him, grabbing his arm from either side. "Wait, you actually managed to do it?!"
"I am the jinchuuriki of the nine tails after all. What else did you expect?" I said with a hint of darkness splashed in. Kaito pushed the clones away as he jumped backwards, forming seals along the way.
"Katon: Hosenka no-!" Kaito began to shout, but a clone was created next to him. The clone popped out of its smoke sending a kick down onto Kaito who was smashed into the ground. Kaito quickly rolled out of the way as I shot a kunai with an explosive tag tied to the back at Kaito. The explosion knocked Kaito away as the clone up in the air popped away along with the other two standing next to me.
'I see. So I can extend my chakra outside of my body just like I could when it covered my body back when I fought Sasuke.' I thought. It was simple really. I sent out my chakra, which would be invisible to any normal shinobi, and pooled in the area that I pleased. I would then form the seal of the jutsu that I wished to use and then it would appear. The smaller the amount of chakra, and the closer it was, the faster I could pool the chakra. And since I knew how to use the Kage Bushin so well it was easy to manifest quickly, but I'm sure fire and other types of jutsu's would be impossible to use, the fire styles require it to be made in your stomach.
"You mother fucker! DIE!" Kaito screamed as he threw some more seals together. "Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu!"
As the fireball traveled towards me I pooled chakra into my hand sliced from bottom up, sending a visible red slash of pure chakra towards the fireball just before it was about to hit me. The red chakra sliced the fireball in two and while the flames passed by me, leaving me unharmed, the red chakra smashed into Kaito. Cutting him from his collarbone to his hip. Kaito landed on the ground, clenching his chest as blood ran out, staring at me with his wild eyes.
'Those, eyes… those glowing red eyes. It's like he's sees straight through me!' Kaito thought as he stood back up. I dash towards him, pouring everything into my feet and left arm as I slashed at him with my kunai.
Kaito blocked and parried where he could. I could feel my extremities burn the more I poured the Kyuubi's chakra into them.
'Faster.' I thought as I continued to strike out at Kaito. I managed to land a slice on his arm. 'Not fast enough!'
I began to force more chakra into my arm and legs. 'Kit! Your body isn't properly trained to use this much chakra yet! You've got stop!'
I couldn't hear the Kyuubi's cries to cease. My blood was boiling and it only increased as I saw the blood begin to spurt out of Kaito's shoulder. This blood lust began to blind me as another cut was landed onto Kaito's leg and as more blood began to flow out of his body, the more I attacked.
Kaito finally managed to stop the close range combat and kick me away from him. I slid to a stop, breathing heavily. Kaito looked bad. A giant slash from my first chakra slash with at least a dozen other deep cuts on his body. Kaito was breathing heavily before coughing up blood onto the ground.
I looked past Kaito to see Miyu and Miku staring at us. Kaito began to laugh between coughs.
"So, you've finally embraced the demon within you. You've truly become one with the monster inside you." Kaito said. I growled at this. I could feel the fangs in my mouth with my tongue. Another side effect?
"The only reason I've become what I am now is because of people like you." I said in anger.
"Is that what you think?! Am I the reason that you decided to give your life to the demon?! No, you made that choice! Not me!" Kaito shouted. More blood began to spill out of Kaito. The scratches and cuts that he dealt to me have already began to heal, but my broken arm still had little feeling in it.
"No! I would have died if I didn't! You're the reason! You and the damned village that exiled me because what? The Kyuubi was sealed inside me? The only reason the Kyuubi ever comes out is because my life is in danger!" I retaliated before lifting the kunai up. "Just like now."
Kaito sighed before dropping his kunai to the ground. He knew he was dying and was using all of his strength to keep himself standing. He held out his arms out to his side. "Then finish me. End what you've started twelve years ago."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"My entire family was killed in Konoha twelve years ago. Every single one of my blood relatives, including my son, was killed. I'm the only one left of my family." Kaito said. I lowered my kunai slightly. The Kyuubi killed them all? An entire family line, save one, gone in the blink of an eye. I dropped my kunai to ground. "What are you doing?! Finish what you've started! Kill me! If you let me live then I'll hunt you to the ends of the Earth if I have to!"
I clenched my teeth as I listened to what Kaito said. 'What's the call, kit?'
'I don't know. If I let him live then he'll chase me down again and we'll have to fight once more, but if kill him…'
'You'll have the death of another on your mind. I understand, but know this, whatever you choose I'll support it.'
'Thanks.' I thought as I looked up at Kaito as he stared at me, blood still pouring out of his body. That smell, it smelled so good. I slowly walked towards him as I poured chakra into my left hand. A spinning red ball began to form in it before I stopped in front of Kaito.
"Naruto-kun! Don't!" Miku shouted as she ran towards us. A clone appeared between us, stopping Miku from coming any closer. "If you kill him then you'll start down a path that you can't come back from!"
A grin appeared on my face. "I've long since started down that path, Miku. I've been walking down it for twelve years now."
I then slammed the Rasengan into the chest of Kaito. Kaito never resisted or attempted to stop me, but as I pushed the chakra ball into Kaito, it was like all of my senses began to dull. I could see Miku shouting something at me as my clone held her back. Miyu simply stood there, shocked, and Kaito was screaming out in pain. But I couldn't hear any of it.
My jutsu soon stopped and as I let my arm fall to my side, Kaito collapsed to the ground, dead. His entire chest was now open to the world with his organs and bone scattered all around us. Miku dropped to her knees as she held her hands over her mouth. Tears began to stream down her face. Memories of the time she had spent with her team flashed in her head. Miyu did the same except she was still standing. My clone looked down at Miku before popping away.
The body of Kaito now lays before me. Taunting me. Saying that it was all my fault for what happened to him and his family. They say, when a single assassin, or shinobi, kills off an entire family with all of its known relatives the worst of the scum. The kind of monster that doesn't deserve to live. Even mighty tyrants allows a single son to live so they can continue the bloodline of the fallen out of respect.
"So, this is the monster that I've become…" I said as I looked at my hand. There was blood covering it from my Rasengan. I looked over at Miku from underneath the veil of my hood. My eyes have stopped glowing the crimson red.
"You… you killed him. Without a second thought." Miku said in complete shock. I stared at her as she processed what she just saw. "After all the things I said, defending you from Kaito, and you kill him?"
After another moment of silence I decided to ask her a question. "Do you hate me?"
Miku looked at me, confused by my question. "What?"
"After everything I've done, coming to your home and killing your sensei. Do you hate me?" I asked emotionlessly. Miku stared at me for a long time, tears still streaming down her cheeks.
"Hey guys! Someone in town said they saw you… what's going on?!" A new comer said happily, but stopped in terror at what was displayed in front of him. Souta slowly walked up to Kaito as I began to walk away. "K-Kaito… sensei?"
I turned my back on the three Genin. There was nothing I could do. I was the one that killed him after all. "Did you do this Kuro?! Did you kill Kaito-sensei?!"
I stopped in my tracks. Souta idolized Kaito. He saw him as something of a father. A symbol of strength and courage… and I just took that away from him.
"Who do you think you are, Kuro?! What did he ever do to you to deserve this?" Souta shouted in rage.
"Souta stop!" Miku shouted. "You don't know what happened!"
"Like hell I don't! Ever since this silent piece of shit arrived you've been acting differently! Why did you come here anyway? What was the point?!" Souta questioned as he stood back up.
The reason I came to Okashi… why did I come here? To stock up on supplies? To check if there was any news on my exile from Konoha? I suppose that I've found out if there was news from Konoha, but what was the real reason? Human interaction? Was I getting lonely out on the beaten path? I could have just avoided this town if I really wanted to. Was I to become a hermit and live out the rest of my days in the forests?
All of these questions raced through my mind as I contemplated everything up until this point. The point where three Genin saw their Jonin's death before them.
"If you would have never come then Kaito-sensei would still be alive! None of this would have ever happened and we would have gone about our day peacefully! This is your fault!" Souta shouted, tears now falling from his eyes.
"Do you hate me?" I asked. It was the same question I asked Miku, but I needed to know something. To see if he was anything like him. Souta looked at me hard, anger burning within his eyes.
"You killed my idol. Everything that I've worked so hard to become… I hate you… I HATE YOU!" Souta shouted as he ran towards me, kunai in hand.
"Souta, wait! This isn't what it looks like!" Miku shouted, desperate to save my image, but it was far too late. I sent out a clone and tripped up Souta. He was so blinded by rage that he had no idea what was going on around him. Souta smashed into the ground and my clone kicked away the kunai in his hand. Souta tried to stand, but the clone stepped onto his back and proceeded to slam Souta into the ground once more.
"Naruto-kun say something! Tell him what really happened! This doesn't have to be like this!" Miku shouted. I walked up to Souta and bent down to him.
"Did you kill him, Naruto? Did you kill my idol?" Souta asked darkly. Murder intended if I said something out of line.
"Yes." I replied. Souta then, instead of resisting me, began to cry.
"You… you monster! How could you?" Souta asked. I stood and began to walk away, my clone disappearing from the back of Souta.
"Because I'm monster, that's why." I replied before disappearing from the valley in a burst of red chakra.
XxXxX-End
For all of you wondering when this has taken place in relation to the cannon. This is before Naruto had left the village to train with Jiraiya, but after Naruto had went with Jiraiya to get Tsunade.
Where is Jiraiya now? How will he react to Naruto's exile? This topic will be brought up later in the story, believe me. Don't rush it. Everything will be revealed later into the story.
As for this chapter, tell me what you think! I'm trying a lot of different things here with this chapter while also hitting on as many things as possible. Naruto, in this story, while extremely powerful is also a human. A human that has feelings towards others. So, take that into account while reading.
Welp, I guess I'll continue writing the next chapter. I'm liking where this story is going as of right now and I hope you guys do too!