The Wings of Change
Prologue: part one, Miya
Kouten, sky above Shinto Teito
"Fist of my Pledge deliver it the wish of my Ashikabi and the wish of Sekirei into the heavens". This was the last thing she heard before she charged, not that it mattered, her little bird had finally spread its wings and learned how to fly.
In a beautiful collision of power, resulting in a blinding flash that rocked Kouten to its core, Miya Asama, Sekirei 01, faded from this world forever.
"This will be your house starting today"
"Here you will live as a normal girl"
"Yes! Yes, Takehito-san, forever…"
With a gasp, brown eyes reminiscent of leaves at the peak of fall, snapped open. Wind rushing past her face, mind weary and only able to barely comprehend the feeling of consciousness.
"Become...Become strong. Strong enough to protect the ones important to you, protect yourself. That is my only wish to you. As I step down from God's throne"
Slowly turning her head, she could make out something small and misshapen in the distance, appearing as if it were moving closer. Squinting to try and get a better look only to gasp in shock as pain assaulted her entire body.
Gray hair, messy as a mop barely hiding the vibrant green eyes that hid behind as he smiled at her, almost blinding in its joy. Takehito, this beacon of emotion that persisted in her life.
"You mean it, really, really?" He nearly shouted as he took her hands into his own. "You will come to live with me really?"
The look of pure joy and love in his eyes as she meekly nodded her head will forever stay imprinted in her heart.
Struggling to stay awake she attempted to look harder as the pain increased. She could see now what appeared to be a rock heading straight for her. Shaking her head in confusion she slowly looked around her only to see nothing.
It was at this moment that she felt her body rocked by a heavy wind, causing her to snap her head back around only to come to a haunting realization. She was falling, and fast. That was no rock heading towards her, that was her plummeting towards the ground!
She grits her teeth and clenches her eyes shut as a single tear drops from her tender cheek. This was because Musubi must have blasted her from Kouten in that final exchange. 'Fitting, we sekirei always were compared to birds, however it looks like my wings have broken' she mused. 'This is how it ends... alone…at least I can see you again'
As another intense bout of pain coursed through her causing her head to again become blearily, she clenched her fists to keep from screaming. Squinting her eyes open she saw the ground coming closer and closer. One final intense bout of pain coursed through her causing a scream to escape her tender yet dry lips.
The last she saw before leaving the land of the living was a seemingly golden blur and a whisper in the back of her mind. "It is okay to live". It was then, her world went black.
Prologue: Part Two, Naruto
Elemental nations, Land of Birds
The sun was setting low on the horizon, a slight breeze blowing through the trees. Standing in a clearing two figures can be seen. One whose size and build looked like that of a bear nearly 6'4 ft tall, shaggy gray hair reaching just above his knees. He was adorned in a pale green loose-fitting top and pants, a blood red vest draped casually over his shoulders.
Upon his brow expertly stitched to a red cloth sat a metal plate inscribed with the word "OIL". With arms crossed and a lecherous grin adorning his toad like face, he leered down at his charge. This was the toad sage Jiraiya, one of the sannin of the village hidden in the leaves.
Lying upon the ground bruises on almost every visible part of his skin, fists clenched tightly, frown staining his visage. A young man of 13, golden blonde hair short and spiky, held up by a cloth of light blue with a metal plate stitched onto it bearing the engraving of the symbol "leaf".
Eyes as blue as the ocean at daybreak and dressed in a bright orange jumpsuit with a white collar, lined with a light blue with a pair of open toe sandals to match. This was Naruto Uzumaki, Gennin of the village hidden in the leaves, and container to the great Nine tailed fox.
He stared upwards at his teacher holding back a frustrated growl as felt his body ache. "Dammit you old pervert, what the hell was that for!" he screamed out in irritation.
"What brat, I told you to come at me to kill, did you think I would just sit there and let you stab me?" Was the quick yet smug reply that only made him clench his fists harder.
"Not that! You hit me in my groin ya know!You pervert!" Naruto all but screamed slamming his fist into the ground causing a slight crack to form.
Letting his smirk fade into a serious frown, in a deep yet clear voice he spoke out." Kid tell me why you choose to fight?"
Taking note of the tone and caught off guard by the question the young bond squinted his eyes, a sad frown settling in on his face as he contemplated the question. "AHHHHH" only to be ripped from his musing as a shrill cry reached his ears.
Eyes shooting towards the sound of the noise which was oddly 'the sky?'. He shot to his feet squinting as he saw a figure plummeting towards the ground at high speed. Without thinking about it he shot forward and jumped to try and intercept the figure.
Reaching upwards he was able to make out a faint blur of purple before feeling it slam into his chest. 'Shit' was the last thought he had before slamming into the ground losing consciousness
The Wings of Change
Chapter One: Divergence
Jiraiya, a toad sage, and self-proclaimed super pervert sat next to a fire with a lecherous grin upon his face. He could be seen frantically scribbling into a small notebook while glancing across at his charge and the latest arrival. This kid was great, without even trying, or having to risk a vigorous beating, these books will write themselves.
Lying next to the young blonde wrapped in bandages was a young girl of about 13. Waist length purple hair reminiscent of a certain ANBU Jiraiya mused. She was about 5'6 in height, and from what he could tell, she seemed to have been thrown in a blender and then shot into the sky.
Of course, this mystery child was the least of his worries now. Glancing over towards the young boy he frowned, over 20 hours now and he was still out. That is almost a record. Four broken ribs and a broken right arm.
Gulping as he silently thanked whichever deity could hear him that the nine tails had not taken the opportunity to try and rampage. Grinning again to himself he again glanced between the two and continued scribbling, occasionally letting loose a perverse chuckle.
His musings were however shortly interrupted by a groan coming from his young charge. "Ugh dammit pervy sage what hit me?" Naruto let loose an agitated groan. "Feels worse than a Chidori to the chest".
"Bahaha, only you Naruto would say that raining maidens is worse than that!" Jiraiya exclaimed while jumping to his feet and giving a thumbs up.
Naruto merely grunted at him as he tried to pull himself up, only to feel a sharp pain rush through his chest and right arm. "Aghh what the hell!" He cried out in anguish.
"Woah there kid, just take it easy" Jiraiya spoke, adopting a serious frown. "Got yourself a few broken bones, and a nice clean break there on your arm."
Glancing downwards Naruto took notice of the bandages around his chest and stomach as well as the sling tightly holding his right arm into place.
"Well shit, what happened anyways pervy sage, last thing I remember was some purple missile and then lots and lots of pain?" He groaned out while rubbing his eyes with his free arm.
"Well Naruto, you're either really lucky or just a trouble magnet, still trying to decide" Jiraiya giggled out. "After all it's not everyday that it rains beautiful girls from the heavens!" He smirked while pointing towards the unconscious form on Naruto's left side.
"What the hell pervert!" Naruto screamed out while turning his head towards where the pervert had pointed. Squinting his eyes in the firelight he was able to make out long purple hair, and a tattered kimono. Upon attempting to take a closer look however his body was again racked with pain causing him to groan.
"Shiiiit!" He screamed out one last time as he was rendered unconscious once again.
"Uhhhh, well damn" Jiraiya muttered to himself as he moved to check on the boy and make sure his bandages were still doing ok.
Applying the small bit of medical knowledge Tsunade had managed to cram into his head over the years, he applied a faint green coating of chakra to his hands as he began to run them over the boy's wounds hoping to alleviate the pain.
Nodding his head to himself, he let the chakra fade as he pulled the boy's sleeping bag back over his chest. "Mmm, more ramen Ayame" he heard the boy gurgle out.
Giggling perversely once again, he stood and made his way towards this latest guest. He took note of the clenched state of her brow, as well as the sweat that poured from her pores. Pulling out a canteen filled with fresh water he moved in and propped her head up as he slowly poured small amounts of liquid past her dry lips.
"Take..hito" He heard her mutter as her breathing slowed. Sighing in relief he gently laid her back down while pulling her covers back for her. Standing he grumbled silently, only to turn as a small puff of smoke surrounded him. Turning around he addressed the now present replica of himself.
"You take care of the perimeter, I'm going to get some rest while I can, something tells me this will be a long week". He spoke out in a whisper before making his way back to his spot by the fire, leaning his back against his bag.
Pulling out his notebook once again, a sly grin took over his face as he glanced back and forth between the two prone forms. "Hehehe" He let out a giggle before beginning to scribble once again into said notebook.
Blackness was what he awoke to suddenly. Gasping for air as his Bright blue eyes snapped open, Naruto jumped to his feet in response to his unfamiliar surroundings. Glancing around quickly, he forced himself to take a steady breath, as he did, he took note of a few details.
First off, he seemed to be standing in a sewer of some kind, ankle deep muck all around him lined by meek gray and near crumbling walls with what looked like rusted pipes running the length of the walls. 'Maybe this is just a weird dream' he tried to tell himself.
Next, was the distinct lack of pain in his body, which caused him to lift his right arm, a distinct lack of brokenness causing him slight confusion. 'Yeah this has to be a dream, that was broken and hurt like hell'.
The last thing he registered in this moment was a faint red glow permeating from the depths of the tunnel in an ominous manner. 'What the hell, this seems familiar' he thought to himself still in a state of confusion.
It was this confused state which led to him slowly moving forward towards this glow. After a moment of walking through this sewer tunnel he came upon a large open room. Lining this room was a massive number of pipes, some new looking, others old and rusty looking.
On the far wall stood a towering gate made of solid bars, on the center of which sat a single piece of paper with the word "seal" written. Behind the bars a large snout covered in dark orange, almost blood red fur slowly lifted to reveal massive white fangs.
Further up two massive glowing red eyes with vertical black slits, resting below a large brow and almost rabbit like ears the size of trees. This massive head was attached to a mountainous vulpine form of which further back Nine massive tails could be seen swaying back and forth in an almost rhythmic fashion.
"Nine tails'' Naruto all but growled under his breath as he took a quick step backwards in panic. Eyes shooting around the room once more, Naruto allowed for a steady breath to enter his lungs. It was at this point a gravelly voice boomed into his ears.
"Mortal, WHAT HAVE YOU COME TO TAKE FROM ME THIS TIME FOOL!" the massive fox bellowed out in a snarl. "Is my Chakra not enough?" it growled out. "Now you come to disturb my precious rest as well" The fox drawled out letting the snarl leave its snout. "ROARRRRR" It let loose a massive yawn that shook that area causing the waters beneath its feet to churn.
Dumbstruck, Naruto stood there as he registered the sight before him, shock causing him to not register what he had just heard. "Oy, stupid fox what the hell ya know!" He shouted out while lifting his fist in anger.
Locking eyes with the fox all he received in response was a deadpan stare as the previous words registered inside his brain. "Your rest!, I'm the one trying to seep here stupid fox! What the hell do ya want from me anyway ya know!" He growled out, growing irritated.
The fox chose to snort, close its massive eyes, and slam its head into its paws in a huff, causing water to shoot towards Naruto. Ignoring the idiot mortal should get it to leave it alone, it decided.
"Ahh the hell!" Naruto was just able to shout in panic as a wave of water knocked him off his feet sending him backwards. "Dammit Stupid fox" He shout while jumping to his feet once more in frustration.
Deciding in his rage and sleep induced brain that it would be a good idea, he charged towards the fox. Had the boy been fully awake he might not have made this choice, Had he not just taken a swim in the sewer he may have decided to instead ignore the fox.
This however was not the case and he continued to charge. Raising his fist back in preparation for a glorious Uzumaki ass kicking. It was at this moment however that instead of landing a solid blow on said fox, he instead tripped over his sleep-addled feet, sending him flying headfirst towards the cage.
"AHHH" A shrill scream was let loose as comprehension dawned on the young blonde of his current situation. "Shit" was all he could say before smashing headfirst into the small paper at the center of the massive cage.
He began to fall downwards, and in panic flailed his arms only to be met with a sudden 'Riip". As he heard the noise however, he was startled by a sudden yet firm touch on his back stabilizing him. Panicking he spun around, only to be met with a sight that left him speechless.
"Hello Naruto" Standing before him, long blonde hair tied back into a ponytail, White coat with flames and a leaf headband atop his forehead sat a legend.
Naruto could only gape in shock as he barely stuttered out the words ``l- lord- lord fourth!" This was his idol, yet the man who had cursed him at the same time. Shock registering and a frown adorned his lips he shook his head.
"Wait, how do you know my name?" he asked in suspicion. This was the famous Fourth Hokage, a living legend, there was know way he would know the name of some orphan Naruto told himself. 'A genjutsu?' he thought nervously.
The man before him frowned as a look of confusion set upon his brow. "Why I know because I named you after all!" he let out gently. This causing further confusion in Naruto.
"What do you mean you named me, why?!" he all but shouted confusion and fear beginning to set in, had he come to finish the job, were the villagers right all along?
"Why of course that's because it's a father's duty to name his son after all!" the Fourth Hokage grinned as he spread his arms out.
``Father" Naruto thought in confusion, frowning adorning his whiskered face. 'But how, wha, the Fourth my dad.' Slowly he began to walk forward towards the man a blank look upon his face.
A smile on his face the Fourth Hokage began to reach towards Naruto, only to gasp in surprise as a fist met his stomach knocking the wind out of him. "I- I guess I deserve that'' he chuckled nervously while rubbing the back of his head, eyes closed.
He was however startled as he felt something slam into him much less forcefully this time only to look down and nearly break out in tears at the sight.
"Why, why dammit!" Naruto screamed out between sobs. "Why did you have to die, why did you put this stupid fox in me why dammit!"
Letting a sad smile grace his lips, only for a loud and booming voice to shake him from his thoughts. "Namikaze, YOU DARE SHOW YOUR FACE HERE!" The towering Nine Tailed Fox boomed as it slammed into the cage holding it back.
Frowning for a moment as he glanced between his son and the fox, he took a moment to examine the seal, noticing a small rip. "Hmm nothing too serious" he mumbled to himself. Glancing back down at Naruto he frowned then asked in a firm voice, "Naruto, how old are you today, and have you ever reached eight tails?"
Shocked from his teary stupor, Naruto shot to his feet, reminded of when the old man and old hag would get mad at him." 13 this year sir" he shouted before frowning.
"As for the tails I can't really remember that well, but I think it was only two or three of them?" he spoke while turning his head to the side as if trying hard to recall that event, only for a sad frown to take over as he clenched his fists and whispered "Sasuke".
Brow furrowing in contemplation, the Fourth Hokage again looked between the seal, the fox and Naruto before smiling as an idea hit him. Walking forward he placed one hand on Naruto's stomach and his other he made into a standard two finger sign for channeling chakra.
"I want you to channel chakra through your seal and into my hand, then use your hand to make a shadow clone with me" He spoke in his best impression of a fatherly tone.
Looking up, Naruto nodded his head, then placed his hand over his fathers completing the cross sign needed for the shadow clone. Closing his eyes, he began letting his chakra flow towards his naval area.
With a puff of smoke, a clone of the Fourth appeared. Slowly it nodded toward the original followed by walking towards the cage. Placing its hand on the seal, a gust of wind flew by as the clone faded and the paper seal slowly mended.
"There we go, now what do you say we go somewhere a bit less noisy eh?" Snapping his fingers, they vanished from the sewer only to appear in a field of flowers of all kinds.
Looking around in wonder at the sight, Naruto let loose a small smile, seeming to calm down with the feeling of a slight breeze bringing note to the silence.
"So, what the hell old man?" Naruto muttered out while scratching at his whiskered cheek. "Don't tell me this is your idea of a prank'.
Staring down at the boy before him the Fourth let loose a weary sigh followed by a small chuckle. "No son, your mother was always more of a prankster" he started noticing Naruto's eyes widened in hope.
"No unfortunately this is the result of a mad man and his mad schemes." He started out as he lowered himself to sit on the grassy ground, making sure to keep eye contact with Naruto. "You see the night of your birth there was an attack by an unknown enemy".
"Unknown what to do- "Naruto started, only for a hand to interrupt him. "Patience Naruto I will get there" The fourth started holding back a slight twitch. "You see this enemy had a certain ability, one which he could use to control other people or. Beasts you see". He stated while noting the recognition appearing in his son's eyes.
"Yes, that's right, the Nine Tails" he sighed out while clenching his fist. "However, there was one problem you see, the Nine tails had always been in the Leaf from the days of lord First until now". He noted as a look of horror appeared on Naruto's face, acting quickly he spoke up.
"Yes, you see the wife of the first Hokage, a master in sealing, helped the First subdue the beast and seal it during his fight with Madara Uchiha". He stated flatly wanting to get his point across. "Madara used his bloodline during that fight to control the beast" He stated as he watched the pieces fall into place in Naruto's head.
"Correct my son, the Sharingan damnable Uchihas" he all but spit out, taking note of Naruto's wince and his hand rubbing his chest. "Well then the wife of the First Hokage before taking on the name Senju was known as Mito Uzumaki".
"WHAT!" Naruto shouted out the surprise evident in his voice. "Uzumaki, that's my name!" With a look of hope and almost pleading he all but whispered "but that means that."
"Yes Naruto, you see the Uzumaki came from a small island off the eastern coast of the fire country known as Whirlpool village" he stated out interrupting Naruto knowing that his time was limited. "The members of the Uzumaki were known for their familial bonds and prowess in the sealing arts."
"Now during the end of the Second Great Shinobi War, your mother arrived from her homeland to take up the mantle held by lady Mito." The Fourth Hokage stated in a serious manner watching a tear roll down Naruto's cheek as a look of Horror took over." Yes, you see Lady Mito was nearing the end of her days and a new container was chosen, in your mother for multiple reasons."
"She was able to control chains of chakra capable of suppressing a tailed beast and born with the Uzumaki vitality a perfect host" he stated out mirth evident in his voice. "You see only the Uzumaki had the life force capable of holding back the immense chakra of the Nine tails, none other could hold this burden."
"Now comes the end of the Second great war and a sneak attack was launched, Whirlpool was whipped off the map, your mother the only known survivor" The Fourth whispered. Brows furrowed in pain at the tears in his son's eyes. "Now years later me and your lovely mother are expecting a child, however there was just one issue".
Taking a deep breath, the Fourth Hokage steadied himself. "When a container gives birth, it causes the seal holding back the beast to weaken". He noted the sadness and pain in his son's eyes, soon followed by the self-loathing, swallowing his urge to just hold him and cry he steeled himself to finish.
"Then the man in the Orange mask came, it's funny that you wear so much orange actually, maybe it's because that was one of the first colors you ever saw" he sighed out a look of contemplation on his face.
"However he had you and I was left with a choice, it was you or your mother, A choice I wish I never had to make…" he stated allowing a tear to slip from his grim visage. "By the time you were safe he had already pulled the fox from your mother, I was too late a failure, you see if the beast escapes the host will die".
"He claimed he was Madara Uchiha, I have my doubts, however no proof, and after a long fight me and your mother were left with the hardest decision in our lives." He let out a near whimper only to gasp as something slammed into his chest.
"Idiot, it's okay I understand, I get it ya know" Naruto let out in between gasps and tears. "You did what you had to; nothing ever works out perfect right?"
Letting out a tired sigh as He felt his chakra begin to fade The Fourth grabbed Naruto and held him in a tight hug. "My time is almost up my son; always remember you are the son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki and we will always Love you". Giving one more squeeze as his body began to fade, he let out one final "I love you son".
Left alone Naruto fell to his knees as he began to weep and process everything that happened. Not noticing the field of flowers slowly begin to fade back into a sewer. Feeling a wetness on his body once again Naruto sprang up and looked around in panic.
"Damn that Namikaze filth" the form of the Nine Tails growled out causing Naruto to jump remembering where he was. Taking note of the child, the fox decided to merely observe for now and see what he would do.
Staring up into the massive glowing eyes of the mountainous fox Naruto gulped and clenched his fists as he moved closer. "Tell me stupid fox" he stated steel in his voice and resolve clear in his eyes causing the fox to flinch in surprise. "Do you enjoy pain; do you enjoy destroying peoples lives!" he shouted at the fox.
Deciding not to simply just eat this mortal for the disrespect the giant fox merely growled low its response. "I detest pain mortal, but what I hate, hehe what I hate is UCHIHA!" it finished screaming out at the end while flaring its chakra.
Glaring down at the boy expecting to see a look of hate or fear in his eyes he was again surprised to see instead a smirk on his face and an odd glint in his eyes as he began to laugh obnoxiously.
"Bahahahahah, well I'm starting to agree ya know, you stupid fox!" Naruto laughed out at the fox in mirth. Shaking his head to himself and taking a more serious tone once again he stared up at the fox again.
"One day, I promise you nobody will blame you for what that Uchiha did, that's the promise of a lifetime" he stated seriously while staring into the eyes of the fox without blinking.
Having been caught off guard by this the fox could only stare at this mortal before it in disbelief. Not liking the feeling of being surprised so much it raised its haunches and began to flare its chakra.
The last thing Naruto was able to make out before he again fell unconscious was a booming "Be gone mortal!" followed by intense orange light.
"As if a mortal could be trusted to keep their word….."