Author's Notes: Well... Admittedly, I didn't expect ever to do one of these stories, alas, here we are. Though, it might be fitting, considering one of the first Naruto fics I've read that inspired me to write was Darkness Falls by Midnight Lost(which you should check out), and... I did recently read Good Luck From Blood by SonSanbi23(which you should also check out), both of which a Jashinist!Naruto. If nothing else, you could treat this story as a tribute to the stories mentioned above, though I will put my twist on the "genre".
I will try to make my unique spin on this theme, so do excuse me if I do prove to be unable to fully display such themes at times, I am admittedly not the best at displaying topics such as these. As for what the story will feature, well, the usual can be expected, what with violence and some (initially) mild sexual content, and, as is usual with fanfiction, a Naruto that may act out of character when compared to his canon counterpart, specifically in that he is more quiet and contemplative. Other things that I'd like to mention will be featured are a stronger Naruto, a smarter Naruto, and a more morally nuanced Naruto.
Oh, and Fem!Sasuke.
Harem(Not in Order of Appearance): Fem!Jashin, Fem!Haku, Fem!Sasuke(Satsuki), Anko, Koyuki, Yugito, Ryuuzetsu, Fuu,
"Talking"
'Thinking'
"'Jashin speaking or thinking"
"'Jutsu or technique names'"
With all that out of the way, let the nightmare begin.
-Konoha, Kyuubi Attack-
"Huff... I can still do it, Minato," Kushina assured, coughing up blood as chains sprouted from her back, wrapping around and entangling the Kyuubi behind her.
"Kushina! W-wait! Hold on!" Minato exclaimed as the blond baby cradled in his arms began to wail, just as the Nine-tailed Beast roared out, enraged by her blatant act. "You don't mean..."
"Yes, Minato. I know what I intend," Kushina stated, coughing up some blood as she managed a weak smile, "I'll draw the Kyuubi into myself, with what little chakra I have left, and take it with me to my death. I'll be able to save all of you... Heh, you don't have to be the hero this time around."
"... Heh, still so selfless, even to the end," Minato joked, placing his hand on the ground and summoning a small altar, placing the infant Naruto onto it soon after. "There's no need for you to die with the Kyuubi. You... You were the reason I became Hokage, the reason I am this child's father. It's not fair for me, or you... If I were Naruto's only parent."
"Wait, what are you..." Kushina asked frantically, eyeing the altar with a nervous look.
"I'll seal all of your remaining chakra... And that of the Kyuubi's..." Minato began to say, flicking through hand signs, before slamming both palms into one another and prompting the figure of the Shinagami behind himself. "... Into Naruto!"
"The Reaper Death Seal... Minato, you..." Kushina began to weakly protest, "The... The Jutsu's caster... Will..."
"Die, yes. That is the price for all things, all actions have consequences, after all," Minato explained, placing his hand on Naruto's stomach and creating a patterned seal, "... He's our son. The inheritor of our will... That's how... I know he'll triumph."
From behind, the Kyuubi roared and bellowed, struggling in defiance and managing to break free of one of the loose chains and slashing forward, puncturing a hole through Kushina's chest, eliciting a pained groan from the red-haired woman.
"Kushina!" Minato cried out, rushing to her side, only to stop at the sight of her raising a hand.
"... If... If it's just so I can meet a grown-up Naruto... Even for just a brief moment," Kushina began to say, coughing up more blood as her eyes fluttered shut, "I suppose it'll be... Worth it."
"Kushina... Very well," Minato assured, biting his finger to stem his tears as he steeled himself for the task ahead, "It's not fair for me to be Naruto's only parent... I'll be right there behind you."
Minato looked up to the Shinigami's spirit, before giving a nod as the figure grabbed ahold of the tanto within its mouth, lathering its tongue over the blade before grasping forward, grabbing the Kyuubi's soul and slamming it within Naruto's seal, cutting through Minato's chest in the process.
"... And... All of Kushina's..." Minato mumbled, reaching out and placing a hand on Naruto's head as he fell to his knees, prompting a nod from the Shinigami as a small hand reached out, going through Kushina's body and extending into Naruto's seal, before fading entirely. "... It's not enough. I... Have no other choice."
Slowly but surely, Minato rose to his feet once again, painting his palm in the blood from his wound, before drawing an upside-down triangle where he stood, a bloodied circle sketched around it moments after.
"Just... One last... Request," Minato grunted, nodding to Hiruzen who looked back in understanding, moments before the Shinigami plunged its blade into the Fourth Hokage.
"Godspeed, old friend," Hiruzen assured, stepping over and picking up the resting Naruto.
-Afterworld-
In a plane of darkness, Minato slowly felt his eyes open up, as he struggled to his feet once again.
"Huff... Right. Lord Jashin..." Minato began to say, falling to his knees reverently as the spectre of a silver-haired woman slowly materialised before him.
"Ah, there he is," The woman before him chuckled, arms made of blood sprouting out of the ground and grabbing Minato by the shoulders to hold him up, "The prodigal son returns, it seems. Tell me, Namikaze Minato... Why is it that you, he who spent his whole life rejecting our ways, turn to me whilst your life now hangs on the balance of a ticking clock? Edging closer, and closer... Towards Oblivion?"
"Well, you know what they say? The faithless become of faith in the face of- Argh!" Minato began to joke, only to find a hand composed of blood grasping at his neck.
"Ooh, careful now, wouldn't want to waste your time left," Jashin joked with a smirk, the hand around his neck tightening ever increasingly. "Go on... I'm waiting."
"I... Gah... Have a request for you... Unholy Goddess..." Minato choked out, "... One which I am willing to provide a great forfeit."
Jashin tilted her head, soon releasing the blond shinobi from her grasp.
"Oh, well, do go on then," Jashin assured, looking on with unbridled interest, "I eagerly await your bargain."
"As you know, or likely know, I've sealed the Kyuubi into my son, Uzumaki Naruto," Minato explained, "As it stands... My son may die from the intensity of the Kyuubi's chakra. My request, Great Jashin... Is to ensure he lives."
"... Well, Namikaze... You of all people should know that a soul destined to be lost is a soul that will be lost for eternity," Jashin stated blankly, betraying no emotion in her tone. "Much as I would be inclined to sympathize with your situation, your soul is destined to move on, and your son's is destined to be lost. Regardless, what of your offer?"
"... My soul for his," Minato stated, looking up defiantly, "What kind of father would I be if I just left my son to die."
"Well, you'd be a terrible father, but that's beside the point!" Jashin responded with a hint of surprise in her tone, "Is that... Is that truly what you intend to do? By forfeiting your soul, you will never rest. You... You will just be in purgatory... For eternity. Are you... Are you sure you want this?"
"I am certain, Lord Jashin," Minato assured, looking to his side as a spirit seemed to slowly materialise. "If a never-ending journey is the cost for my son's life, it's one I'll be happy to pay."
"In that regard, I consider you more noble than most, though..." Jashin began to say, whilst Kushina's spirit took shape, "It seems someone else's soul may have something to say about the matter."
"Kushina..." Minato began to say, only to be met with a tight hug from the red-haired woman, "I'm sorry."
"Oh, don't be, you reckless, heroic idiot..." Kushina replied with a sigh, her arms still wrapped around as she shed a silent tear. "All this... For our son? What more can I ask..."
"No, Kushina, I... I'm sorry, I won't be able to join you in the realm beyond this one," Minato admitted, holding Kushina by the shoulders, "I've forfeited my soul. Naruto will live, and my soul... Well, it'll be banished and damned for eternity."
"I... Oh, I see..." Kushina began to say, taking a step back and taking it all in, before looking over at Jashin. "So... My Minato's soul... In exchange for Naruto's life?"
"Well, yes, those are the terms," Jashin explained, a blood-red scythe materialising in her hand, "I'd say your last goodbyes fast, I'm on a tight schedule."
"I see..." Kushina began to say, placing her fingers on her chin as she gave it a few moments, "Every soul is equal, yes?"
"Well, no, not really," Jashin began to explain, "A sinner's soul, or a corrupted soul is worth less than those belonging to the less tainted, in comparison, whilst I may hold some grievances with your husband's lack of participation in my cause... I'd say both your souls weigh about equal."
"I see. In that case," Kushina began to say as Minato looked over curiously. "I forfeit my soul as well."
"Wait, what?!" Minato asked in shock, walking over as he stared into her eyes. "You... You do realise what this means?"
"Omnipotent as I am, I did not foresee this day," Jashin mumbled as she rubbed her brow. 'I'll give them a few more moments... Just to see what happens.'
"Yes Minato, I do," Kushina sighed, stepping forward, "Just as you said... If it wouldn't be fair for you to be Naruto's only parent... It wouldn't be fair if you were the only one forsaking your soul for Naruto's sake. Lord Jashin... Hear my plea."
Kushina began to say, falling to her knees as she bit back her pride, prostrating herself before the Goddess of Carnage.
"In exchange for my soul... I beg of you, watch over Naruto," Kushina explained as Jashin's eyes widened, "Watch over him, protect his soul... And when the time comes, please... Make sure he grows up to be strong... Strong enough that... Well, enough to overcome our absence in his life."
"That's... Your plea?" Jashin asked in disbelief as she raised her scythe.
Kushina sighed, rising to her feet before going over to Minato, her husband and the man she loved for much of her life, before hugging him gently.
"Yes. That is my plea. I swear it," Kushina asserted as she leaned in to kiss Minato tenderly.
"In that regard, very well, I accept your bargain," Jashin assured, pulling her scythe back and preparing to swing in an arc, "Though... As I do... I declare both your souls, and your existences..."
"Ready for another adventure?" Minato asked with a smile as he held Kushina close, only to be met with a smirk in return.
"You're on, beloved..." Kushina assured, nuzzling into Minato's chest. "You're on."
A faint white veil surrounded the pair, moments before Jashin swung her scythe, slicing through them both and damning their souls for eternity, before taking a step back whilst the forms of Minato and Kushina faded into oblivion.
"... As nobler than most," Jashin assured, her scythe fading from her grasp as she turned over, looking back into the mortal realm and at the infant Naruto. "... Just you wait, Naruto... Under my watch..."
In the mortal realm, as if sensing a disturbance, Naruto began to wail hysterically once again as Hiruzen attempted to console him, only for the faint spectre of a hand to place itself atop his forehead, managing to soothe his sorrow somehow and lulling him into a peaceful rest.
"None shall ever harm you."
-Eight Years Later-
As layers of snow fell across Konoha, a small figure slowly walked through the village's snow-laden streets, marked in an orange jumpsuit, seemingly with a destination in mind.
As his steps left semi-deep footprints indented upon the snow covering the ground, Naruto wadded through the snow layering Konoha's grounds, soon arriving at his intended destination from the start, the Konoha Cemetary.
'Here again... Not sure why I keep coming...' Naruto thought to himself as he arrived and stood still.
The blond looked ahead at the graves littered across the cemetery before him, specifically at the one marked "Uzumaki Kushina". Upon its surface of stone laid an epitaph: "Family before Duty; Loyalty before Glory. May she rest in peace, knowing she was not just known to be kind, but also found to be of such character."
'... Uzumaki...' Naruto thought, eyes falling upon the gravestone intently, '... Like my name... Wonder how many of us are left.'
"Do you find solace in the homes of souls at rest, young one?" A melodic voice asked from behind.
"Gah- Wha-" Naruto exclaimed, turning around and looking back as the figure of a woman slowly stepped closer, bearing an intricately-marked red-and-black kimono, alongside slightly painted eyebrows and short, brown hair.
"I mean not to startle you, young one," The woman assured as she held up a hand, "I merely wished to ensure you were well. It's rather unusual for a child to be out in the snow, even less so at a cemetery."
"Oh, well, I guess it's just easier to think here," Naruto explained, looking back at the graves once again, "Not many people want to listen to me, but here... Well, it feels like they listen."
"I see," The woman mumbled, looking ahead at the grounds of memory, "Many souls here perished noble, others less so. Yet here, they all rest, some forgotten, others not."
"What about her?" Naruto asked, crouching down and brushing snow from Kushina's grave, "How did she die?"
The woman looked over, narrowing her eyes before widening them upon recognition of who the grave belonged to, speaking again moments after.
"She died a hero, child, saving everyone," The woman assured. "Konoha never forgets its veterans, especially not the woman who gave her life ensuring everyone else would keep theirs... The day grows late, child, I suggest you return home before the snow proves overbearing."
"But I'm not cold," Naruto explained, looking over soon after, "I've never been cold, so I'm fine staying here... Are you cold, miss?"
"Worry not, young one," The woman assured as she stepped over, placing several prickly-red flowers in Naruto's hands, "I'm not cold either. Here."
"What are these?" Naruto asked, looking up at the woman as he held the flowers by the stems, "I mean, they are flowers, but... Why?"
"Higanbana, to be specific," The woman explained as she crouched down, guiding Naruto by the hand to place the flowers at the foot of Kushina's grave. "They're usually placed like so on someone's grave... Generally, we believe that they help guide spirits to the next world, and prevent malicious spirits to plunder the tombs of others."
"I... See," Naruto murmured, looking ahead and shaking his head, "You seem to know a lot about this stuff, miss."
"Well, let's say that it's a certain interest of mine," She chided as she looked over, "I've seen grave amounts of loss in my time... I suppose the least I could do is to learn about it, don't you think?"
"I guess..." Naruto began to say, keeping the flowers neat at the foot of the grave, before standing back up. "... It's funny that I'm here. It's my birthday today."
"Oh? Is it, child? Well, happy birthday," The woman assured as she stood up moments later. "I suppose you aren't celebrating, considering you're here?"
"Well, no, I'm not..." Naruto explained with a sigh as he stuck his hands into his pockets, "There's no one to celebrate it with me."
"Such a shame, every child deserves someone to celebrate with them," The woman huffed as she stepped over and placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, "No matter. If you wouldn't mind... I'm willing to stay here with you for now... And in turn, celebrate with you for a moment?"
"That, well, I wouldn't mind," Naruto assured, looking around for a moment, "Lots more graves compared to last year..."
"Oh dear... You've been spending several birthdays here now, haven't you?" The woman asked gently, patting his shoulder with the same gentleness. "I do suppose this environment allows for better contemplation."
Naruto looked ahead once again, shaking his head soon after before moving to brush some fresh snow from Kushina's grave.
"As I said, people don't listen to me usually, but here..." Naruto began to say, looking around before looking back at the woman, "It feels like they listen."
"The souls here are at rest, but they are here, and they will listen," The woman assured, "Whilst they may not immediately respond, some believe that should one be willing to open themselves to the perspectives of others, the spirits will respond. After all... There is nothing more honest, nothing more true than a person simply telling you how they feel."
"So I'm not weird?" Naruto cut in, looking up at the woman as she crouched down, "People always say I'm strange."
"People are always quick to judge what they do not understand, young one," The woman assured, brushing some snow from Naruto's hair. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to be heard, to know that there is someone there for you." The woman paused for a moment. "What's on your mind?"
"Well..." Naruto began to say, looking down for a moment, "The others at the academy don't care about me. They always hang around with each other, and just ignore me. Nothing more. But... This one girl, Satsuki. Like, for me, it's that no one cares. For her after the... Incident."
"It's as if she wants no one to care?" The woman completed the sentence for him, "Child... It's difficult to say for everyone, but sometimes, all that's needed is for someone to reach out a caring hand for them to know that there's someone there for them. That someone's willing to listen."
"... Should I help?" Naruto asked, looking up at the woman again, "It's not my business, but..."
"You feel like you should?" The woman asked back, "That it's the right thing to do? Well, I'd think so, but it's your choice. If anything... It is your birthday today."
Naruto nodded, standing up straight once again.
"Though, since it is your birthday..." The woman began to say, reaching into her kimono and pulling out a small, wrapped present. "I suppose I should give you a gift."
"Eh- How did you...?" Naruto asked, clearly confused as he tilted his head, receiving a bemused chuckle from the woman opposite him.
"Heh, I have my ways," The woman giggled, placing it in Naruto's hand soon after, as several shadows gathered on the ground and assimilated into Naruto's own larger shadow. "Anyhow... Best get going before it gets too dark out."
"I... Umm, thank you. Thank you very much," Naruto assured, bowing profusely before placing the present into a pocket and turning to leave soon after, leaving heavy marks in the snow in his frenzy.
"And happy birthday, once again," The woman whispered with a sigh, shaking her head as she reached upwards, wiping off the painted eyebrows from her face, before shedding the brunette wig she wore and allowing her long, silver hair to flow unhindered in the wind. "It's going to be fascinating when I have to break the news to him... Seems like my side of the bargain will be harder than I once thought."
The woman looked around for a moment more, shaking her head as a scythe composed of blood materialised in her hand, slicing a hole through the air before she stepped in, the hole closing up soon after.
"Though... Perhaps there is something I can do."
-Uchiha Compound-
With snow still falling gently over Konoha, a slender girl with long, raven-black hair tied into a high ponytail sat at the steps of a bloodstained door, onyx eyes reddened from tears. The specific district of Konoha seemed mostly deserted, except for the occasional passerby who would greet her and the occasional shinobi who seemed only capable of mustering looks of disgust.
Yet, save for her shaking legs, the girl sat still, even as snow piled on and on over her lap and hair, overshadowing the charcoal fabric of the dress she had chosen to wear. As if nothing else held any precedence to her current situation, she stared ahead, remaining silent as a tear slowly ran down her cheek.
"Err, hey..." A voice cut in, snapping her out of her stupor moments after. "Satsuki? You alright?"
Satsuki swiftly wiped her tears, tilting her head to the source of the voice and coming face-to-face with Naruto moments after. Shaking her head momentarily, Satsuki steeled herself, before looking defiantly through onyx pupils.
"What's it to you?" She snapped, raw emotion seeping through her tone. "What? Are you here to shower praise like the others? Talk about how, oh, what a tragedy it was... Oh, you're still destined for this, destined for that... And whatnot?! Or what? Are you going to mock me? Come to gawk at me like I'm the newest exhibit?"
"Umm, no? No, why would I do that?" Naruto asked back, trying to keep up his friendly tone whilst holding up his hands, taking a step back as he did so. "No. I, well..."
"Oh? So the loner grows a conscience? Tell me, then," Satsuki stated as she crossed her arms. "What do you want?"
"Look. Listen to me," Naruto began to say, tone softening moments after as he dropped his head, "I heard about what happened. I'm very sorry, it's... An awful situation to be in, and I just wanted to make sure you're alright."
Satsuki paused momentarily, tears streaming unbridled down her cheeks as she stood up before grabbing the blond by the collar.
"As if you could ever understand! You, you..." Satsuki began to say, her tone a mix of anger and anguish as nothing halted her tears at this point. "You came from nothing! You... You have no one... You had nothing... I... I lost everything..."
"Well, you're right, I couldn't possibly understand," Naruto began to say, not moving an inch to not further agitate the girl. "I come from nothing. I've never had anyone. I could never possibly understand how you feel without going through it myself. But..."
Satsuki's grabbing slowly transitioned to half-hearted hits on Naruto's chest, each hit lighter and lighter than the last, as if she had been losing the will to put up much of a fight for much longer, wailing uncontrollably throughout.
"I do know what it feels like to be completely alone in this world," Naruto began to say, allowing Satsuki to fall against him and wail into his shoulder whilst doing so. "Just the idea that... No one cares. And as if just because no one cares, that our pain does not matter."
"I've never felt so alone," she admitted after a pause, reluctantly leaning in and allowing her arms to wrap around his embrace. "It's like... I don't know... Like everything's just gone."
Satsuki looked up at him a few moments later, her eyes searching his. "Tell me honestly...do you really care? Or are you just saying that?"
Naruto held her gaze, giving her hand a gentle squeeze as he pulled back from the hug. "Of course I care. It would be cruel of me to seek you out if I didn't." He gave her a small smile. "Tell you what, it's getting cold out here. Why don't we go grab some ramen and you can tell me about it? My treat."
Satsuki studied him silently for a beat before giving a slight nod. She fell into step beside him as they headed towards Ichiraku's, their hands still intertwined.
-Uchiha Compound, Two Hours Later-
"Well... Here we are," Naruto assured, stopping in front of the steps to the bloodstained doors Satsuki stepped towards. "Sorry for dropping in unannounced like that."
"Oh, right... Well, no matter," Satsuki assured as she lingered at the doorway. "... Thanks for dropping by."
"Uh... Look, I'm probably not the best person at this, but I meant what I said earlier," Naruto began to say after a moment of silence shared between them, "If you ever want to talk about it, or, well, hang out I guess, I'll be there. I'm not that hard to find."
Satsuki stood still for a moment, taking a breath before soon managing to break a small, faint smile.
"Thank you, Naruto," Satsuki mumbled, looking over with a nod, "It means more than you can ever imagine..."
"Well, you're welcome," Naruto assured, nodding before turning around. "I guess the least I could do was try... Anyhow, try to get some rest, alright?"
Satsuki nodded in response, giving a small wave as the blond's silhouette gradually shrunk and vanished into the snow-laden streets of Konoha.
'He really is different...' She thought to herself, before shutting the door and exiling herself for the rest of the night.
-Naruto's Apartment-
'Well, that went better than I thought it would...' Naruto thought to himself, flicking on the near-broken switch on the wall and bringing life to the flickering lights in the cramped apartment.
Sighing, the blond shook his head, walking over to the bed in the corner of the room and sitting on its edge, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the small gift the strange woman from earlier had given him.
'Well, might as well...' He thought, moving to rip apart the wrapping paper of the gift, only for several shadows to rush out of the small box and latch onto his. "What the-"
The blond took a step back, seemingly dazed for a moment as he held a hand forward to steady himself, only for a large scythe composed of shadows to emerge from thin air, binding itself to his fingertips moments after.
"Woah... This..." Naruto mumbled in awe, unable to believe what he was saying as he swayed slightly from the switch in weight, struggling to stand properly before finally adjusting adequately. "This is so cool!"
Naruto took a step back, looking out of the window and at the silver moon in the night sky, before giving a small smile, the scythe dispelling and replacing itself with a scroll composed of shadows.
"Thank you, miss... Well, thank you anyways!" Naruto assured, nodding and bowing his head over and over, "I promise, I'll do you proud!"
Outside, Jashin floated by the lone window to Naruto's apartment, giving a subtle smirk as she slashed the air before her, ripping a small tear in reality before ducking into it moments later.
"Heh, I'm sure you will. We'll meet again soon... My Reaper."
Author's Notes 2: Well, not the most exciting chapter action-wise, though, admittedly, this was the most fun I've had writing a chapter for anything in a long-while. I suppose you could treat this chapter more as a prologue for things to come. In any case, the next chapters are bound to be more action-heavy.
Regardless of which, do tell me what you guys thought about this chapter in the reviews down below! I'm always eager to see what you guys have to say!