I was going to do a Kojin Kashin/Superboy/Nobody inspired story sticking in the Leaf, but I had a far, far better idea using the same premise. I won't delete this one, since it gives me the things I was missing with the other stories. Something more unique, potent and actually explores the world of Naruto we never really get to see even in most stories.

Especially the ones I write.

A real challenge for me.

Six Months after Naruto left the Leaf for his Training Trip- Two Years before Shippuden

'Ugh... where am I?' The boy said, waking up, body sore, mind foggy. Above him an endless sky of black and stars. 'Why... WHY CAN'T I MOVE!' The boy started to panic, eyes wide, the world blurring as he realized he was wrapped up in something, and yet as he struggled he felt pain, soreness and loss.

Before he could panic himself into a heart attack, a man was there, strong hands on his shoulders. "Hold, child. You are fine, you were found in one of Orochimaru's bases, crushed under a rock just a week before. You literally just woke after that time, we were worried you would pass. We had to wrap you up, your body was badly damaged though it seems to be healing fast." The man, now that the boy was looking at him firmly, was tall with a really elongated bald head. He was wearing a strange uniform with oddly wrapped fabrics. "I am Chiruku, head of the ninja Monks of Fire Country... what is your name?"

The boy frowned and panicked. "I cannot remember... all I can remember is... pain." He thought, and images danced in his mind. Faint and far off, like they were barely his memories. "I was in a jar, water was everywhere...a man, he called himself Amachi... he kept on calling me return from failure... he hurt me, stabbed me, took my blood... but it was so fuzzy, I think I was drugged. I was tired and then,... I heard an explosion, and things got black."

Chiruku nodded, contemplative. "There was a man nearby... we were investigating a series of disturbances during our pilgrimage to Sea Country. We heard of a Demon of the Sea that had turned out to be an experiment of Orochimaru, led by one of his servants. The Leaf took her into their care. Perhaps you were one of the newer experiments."

Oddly, to the boy in question that felt right. "I think so... I... I remember her, Isaribi." He muttered, memories of a girl with fish scales and a lot of anger flittered through him. 'I saw her, I am not sure when. She was hurting ships. I remember her."

"Should we bring you to the Leaf?" The man asked and fear burned in the boy's heart.

"NO!" Chiruku did not recoil at his call, but instead gave him a look of pity. "I am not sure why, but I feel... wrong, the Leaf, it feels wrong. That is all I remember about it. I was hurt there, I know I was..."

The man soothed him with soft shushing sounds, petting his hair. "It is alright, child... you can journey with us. Our pilgrimage will take us another three days, you can decide what to do when we arrive back at our temple. Why, you could even become a ninja monk if you wished, what do you say?"

The boy laughed. "That would be... nice. Thank you. I think I was a ninja before, that word seems to make me happy... and sad."

"That would fit... your chakra levels are quite vast. Now... onto your name. How about Shin? All people need a name and right now you have none. Shin means new, fits to me."

Shin nodded, taking in his new name, feeling his soul settling a little more into his body. "That... that feels better, thank you..."

"Not a problem, now let's unwrap you, see how your condition has progressed." Soon, Shin was standing on shaky legs, next to a stunned Chiruku. 'You look almost healed! I'd guess another week before you're fully healed. That is amazing. I have never seen anyone heal so fast or even heard of it, bar maybe the Uzumaki's of old."

Shin cringed, pain lancing through his head. "My name... it was Uzumaki, once before."

"Shin Uzumaki it is then. Now... let's start you on some Katas, the movement is great for blood circulation, it helps with healing. It will also help jumpstart you on becoming a ninja monk, one day."

As Shin moved through the peaceful katas of the ninja monks taijutsu style, he felt his head thump, remembering if only faintly of the sameness of his actions and how it must have played a part in his life and who he was before, whomever that was.

'Does anyone miss me, or care that I am gone... why am I pretty sure no one does... and why does the name Naruto run so heavy in my mind?'

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.