The Broken Child

by bonniekey08

Naruto is a young child in a world that hates him. He has suffered at the hands of people who should have cared and has been scared by those who should call him a hero. Will this child find a home a family or is suffering his lot in life.

1. Found

I do not own Naruto

Run

Run

Please run child

Cat pleaded as she watched a small blond child stumble down the back ally near the red light district. Being a shinobi ment that you must be hard, that killing was acceptable, and torture was expected. Cat had no problem killing or torturing anyone, even if that person was a child. It is what made her an ideal member of ANBU. Cat watched the three men chasing the child. They were civilians and would not be punished unless they violated the one law protecting that scared child. The kid took a wrong turn down an unfamiliar ally and stopped facing a dead end. "Fucking little shit stop running!" One of the men called out as they rounded the corner after the child. Cat gripped the edge of the roof she perched on looking down at the worsening scene. "Please sir I'm sorry please don't hurt me" The blond pitifully cried seeing no escape. "Ha little monsters stuck this will be fun" The second male spoke a wicked smile plastering his face. The third male pulled a knife out of his pocket and pointed it at the child. Cat breathed slowly forcing herself to stop from murdering these filth. The Hokage had given no room for interpretation concerning this assignment. The child needed to be tough and stepping in when others hurt him would not be tolerated. The first man had reached the quivering child as he collapsed back against the wall his fist pulled back and then slamed forward into the boys shoulder. The child yelled in pain but immediately bit his lip to keep quiet. Cat knew they would avoid hitting his face these three often did. They knew the laws and they knew how far they could go without getting in trouble. The second male grabbed the child by the same shoulder gripping with nearly enough strength to crush bones. The child tried to pull away before a fist was punched into his gut. The third man grabbed the child's shirt and started slicing. Cats eyes widened this was worse than what they normally did. Most of the time these three would beat on the child for a few minutes to get their frustration out then walk away satisfied that they were stronger than the greatest of demons. The man with the knife had even used it during the last beating to cut the boys hair. It had never been cut before and the men had laughed that the child looked like the next piece of meat to walk the red light district. "Little fucker trying to be a bitch hahaha" that man had laughed as he slices his curls off his head. The boy had cried for hours holding his mutilated hair in his tiny hand. But this Cat thought was going to far. This was not going to toughen up a scared child this was going to kill the child. Cat swayed ready to pounce as she watched the crying child being exposed. He was four for crying out loud who cuts off the cloths of a baby. "Hold the monster still" The man with the knife told the other two. Both men smiled greedily as the held down their victim. The blond boys eyes were wide in fear. Cat didn't know what to do she wasn't supposed to interfere unless the boys life was truly in danger the men could break bones slice skin even rape the poor child and she was not allowed to intervene. Hound was out of the village on a mission and Crow was at a clan meeting. They were the only ones allowed to intervene. Hokage had told the ANBU the extent they were allowed to interfere explaining that this would create a weapon that was strong and fearless. Crow and Hound had threatened desertion if concessions weren't made. So they were made for those two and the rest of ANBU followed the Thirds plans to the letter. Only now Cat wished with all her heart that she had thrown a fit right along with Wolf and Crow. The boy screamed unable to bite back the pain as the third man carved lines in the boys chest. They were shallow cuts Cat couldn't help yet. "Shit" The first man exclaimed. "Hey man, the monster is healing." All men paused what they were doing. "Fucking hell is this shit" The second man exclaimed. "Hahaha no one can deny what he is with this kind of proof. Still I was hoping our words would linger... hmm." The third mused. Cat could see that the carvings in the boys chest were spelling out a word, but she couldn't see it from this angle. The first letter an M had already stopped bleeding. Cat wanter to throw up. This revelation would complicate things. "Oy you got any ink on you Kin?" The second man asked the first man now called Kin. "Yes... Oh." Kin's smile grew wide as he pulled out an ink well from his side pouch and opened it. The boy stopped crying as he watched his captors he was young but he knew that smile it was a smile the villagers would wear every time they found another way to torture him. He began to cry again as he saw the third man dip a blade in the ink and start carving his chest once more. The men went slow making every stroke as painful as possible the men and Cat watches the skin heal over but the ink remained. Monster. "OH poor little monster what's wrong are you sorry yet for WHT you did?" Kin asked. "Yes yes I am so sorry please please forgive me." The blond cried hoarsely. " Never never never never! I will never forgive you you shit eating monster!" Kin screamed into the boys face before the second man put his hand on his shoulder. "I will see you tomorrow little monster and I will see you every single day of your miserable life until someone chooses to end you." He then dipped the blade in ink once more and put a single small slash on the boys shoulder. "Day 1 little monster." Kin grinned before getting up. The other med did the same smiling at each other as they walked away. The blond boy stayed still for a few minutes before he began to cry again sitting up to look at himself. He was only four but he felt so much older his body could heal any wounds but as he examined his chest through wet watery eyes he knew that this tattoo was never going to come off. Cat breathed in despite the permanent scar the boy had been surprisingly unharmed compared to some of the other beatings he had to endure. They had chased punched and cut him but the boy was awake and aware and would not need medical attention due to his captive. Another few minutes passed and then the boy stood wiped his tears away and picked up what remained of his cloths. He was named but he was four so he did not worry about shame the same way older children would. He did try to cover his chest though as he walked hoping no more people saw his name scratched into his chest.

Hokage tower later same day

The third sat with his hand folded on his desk his cold eyes staring into that of Fugaku Uchia. "I know you are angry Fugaku but my decision is final your clan will be moved to the west field at the edge of the village" Fugaku seethed in anger the past four years had been hell for the Uchia clan as privileges and rights had been stripped away little by little. "Your insane Hiruzen your absolutely insane. I loved Minato he was a brother to me. We were prosperous under his rein. I love this village and I have bleed for it. Our home has stood at the center of the village since the Uchiha and Senjew clans founded this village. Why would I or anyone from my clan attack it!" Fugaku yelled nearly toppling his chair as he stood. "Sit" Hiruzen commanded. "I know you loved Minato but that doesn't change the fact that it was clearly an Uchia who killed Minato's wife, my wife, and released the Kyubi onto the village causing the destruction of a third of our village and nearly a fourth of our troops as well as the death of our Fourth Hokage. Time did not heal the village and we are broken. This is what I must do for the sake of the village for the sake of all who survived." Hiruzen stared into his former friends eyes knowing that this would destroy the clan that destroyed his world. "This decision is final and I will use forse if necessary to ensure the move happens." Fugaku glare thinking of any way he could change the mind of the Third and the acting council. But his mind kept going back to his experience earlier in the day.

Flashback

Fugaku walked with his son after their meeting. "Son know you are loyal to the village and to the third so you must comply with his order to spy on your family" Itachi's eyes lifted in surprise. "It's ok go ahead and report we are hiding nothing. I do hope you remember your family from time to time though." Fugaku spoke to his son. "Of course father my family is important to me just as much as this village." Fugaku nodded and they continued to walk in silence. An ANBU member dropped down in front of the pair her purple hair and mask identifying her as the ANBU Cat. "Itachi-san I request your presence earlier than your scheduled duty" Itachi's eyes narrowed. "We are at his usual spot in the red district. Also please bring... garments to donate to the homeless children in the village." Itachi's eyes widened filling with emotions Fugaku had never seen on his son before. "Yes Cat-San expect me there within a few minutes." Cat nodded then released her clone she would only go so far in breaking protocol after all. "Father would you mind grabbing one of Sauskes outfits that he would not miss and joining me for a stroll let's say near 12th street in about 10 min. I will have about 40 minutes left then before my shift should start so that we may continue our walk. You are not preve to all of my assignments and I am under strict orders not to reveal my assignment but as I said maybe a walk would be nice to have as father and son." Itachi said before shunshining away. Fugaku stared for a full minute where his son had stood. He had never seen his son skirt around the orders of the third and he needed to know why his son would risk his position. Fugaku quickly grabbed the desired cloths and shunshined to the location his son had requested. Itachi walked out of the ally his face angrier than Fugaku had ever seen him. "Fathe how nice to see you this far from home would you care to walk with me before I must get to work?" Itachi said as calm as he could. Fugaku nodded and followed his son down the ally. The ally stunk of piss and rotten carcuses Fugaku marveled at the thought that there was such a filthy location anywhere in Konoha. Fugaku heard a muffled sob coming from behind a trash can and he glared at Itachi with a lone unspoken question. "I may not speak on the matter." Itachi said but clearly he wished otherwise. To an outsider Itachi may have not shown much emotion in his speach and stance but to Fugaku he could tell his son was ready to murder and as a pasafist he knew it took a lot to make his son so angry. Fugaku walked around the trashcan an saw a small naked body of a boy no older than four with ribs and bones showing how malnourished the child was. His golden hair cut in uneven patches attop his head. He had sat up at the sound of voices in his ally way and he cowered fearfully in the corner. The child was Sauskes age and it broke something in Fugaku to see such a wretched sight. "Hello child I am Fugaku Uchia head of the police force. Are you ok?" Fugaku attempted to sound kind which was hard for the usually stern and harsh man. The boy nodded "Yes sir I am fine." The boy spoke softly looking away. He clutched the rags to his chest tightly and turned his body away. Fugaku approached slowly alerting the boy to possible danger. He backed away then tucked into a ball. "I have some cloths if you would like to dress. It is OK if you do not wish to come out but rest assured I will not harm you." Fugaku said before placing the cloths at his feet. The boy lifted his gaze up to Fugaku's eyes showing his brilliant blue orbs and whispered cheeks." Fugaku startled and dropped to his knees in front of the boy. "Naruto is that you? Child I thought you where dead." Fugaku wanted to rush the boy into a hug that would never end but the fearful look in Naruto's eyes told the man that the boy would not be touched without scaring him. Fugaku placed the cloths at the boys feet but did not move. Determined not to take his eyes off of the child that he had begged Hiruzen for many times his first year of life. Hiruzen had refused to allow the Jinchuriki to be in the care of the Uchia. Last year he had told the man that an accident had taken place at the orphanage and the child had died. He had gone to investigate but the damage near the child's room told him that a three year old child would never have survived the fire. He left knowing that his final hope that his former friend was not as evil as he imagined had been dashed at that time. Naruto slowly reached out and grabbed the cloths wary of an attack. Naruto set the rags over his chest down on the ground and Fugaku wanted to puke. The skin showing a tattoo across the child's chest. Fugaku waited until the boy was dressed and then offered Naruto a hand. "I would like you to follow me ok." Naruto nodded fugaku took Naruto by thr hand then cast a genjutsue over the child so he looked like an Uchia before walking out of the ally towards his compound.

End Flashback.

Fugaku stared at Hiruzen knowing that he had nothing left to offer said. "We will happily and openly comply with this move if you allow me or a member of out clan to adopt Naruto." Hiruzen closed his eyes. "Fugaku please we have been over this Naruto is dead." Fugaku narrowed his eyes. "I was walking home and heard a boy crying I looked and found Naruto naked and cowering in a corner a tattoo with the word monster scratched into his chest." Hiruzen opened his eyes at that. "I am sorry the boy you found may look like the Naruto you so want to take in but stay away from it. That is not Naruto, Naruto died the day he was born. The seal was made wrong the monster is moving and speaking hoping to get sympathy until is has matured enough to fight us." Fugaku stood. "Who told you the seal was wrong. I sat in front of the child and watched him dress I looked at that seal it was a beautiful creation something Minato had truly made perfect." Hiruzen's eyes widened and his mouth opened. "No it has to be faulty Fugaku, Danzo looked it over and checked thoroughly when the child was in our care he told me how the deamon was using the body but that we would have ten years before the monster regained access to it's chacra." Fugaku shook his head. "You blind blind fool. You aided the entire village into torturing Minato's son." Fugaku saw the color drain from Hiruzen's face. His world shattering around him. "Fugaku please let me see him." Hiruzen whispered before following Fugaku to his home.

At the Uchia compound.

Crow watched his mother through the window as he bathed and fed the scared scrawny child. Smiling as his brother attempted to spoon. feed Naruto like a baby. Naruto for his part tried to keep them from fussing but nothing could stop his mother from taking care of the child. Crow tensed as he saw his father approach with the third Hokage. They entered the home and joined his mother in the kitchen. "Ah honey how was the meeting with Lord Third?" Mikoto asked her husband as she saw him enter. Soon followed by the Third himself. "OH welcome lord Hokage." Mikoto said before bowing. " Can you believe it sir my husband found Naruto we thought he died in the fire but he's alive. Thank Kami he is alive." She beamed as Sauske attempted to offer Naruto another spoon full of soup. Naruto however watched the newest arrival with great fear. He was told by the villagers that this man was the one that wanted him dead. He wanted to run he wanted to hide but he knew even one false move in front of this man would be his death. Hiruzen saw the eyes of pure fear staring out of the most beautiful blue orbs. No demon could fake this fear. "Show me the seal." Hiruzen quietly demanded. Fugaku nodded and approached a scared Naruto. "Do now worry child I am going to take off your shirt Lord Third would like to see what is on your skin and then I will put it back on ok. No one will hurt you." Sauskes eyes widened he had never heard his father talk with such a kind voice and wondered what had happened to the kid to make his dad so gentle. Fugaku slowly lifted the shirt off of Naruto showing everyone in the room the tattoo. "Sauske go outside and practice your kuni skills for 30 minutes while we talk." Sauske nodded and exited. He saw the tattoo and understood that the grownups had a lot to talk about. Hiruzen felt bile at the back of his throat a feeling he hadn't experienced since he held his dead wife in his arms on the night this child was born. Hiruzen placed his palm over Naruto's stomach Naruto flinched at the touch. A small amount of chacra was pumped into the seal and it showed on his skin. "What's that!" Naruto asked alarmed. Hiruzen ignored his comment and focused on checking every detail. He frowned and looked to Fugaku. I need to be examined Fugaku I want your help to see if I was placed in a genjutsue at some point in the last 4 years." Fugaku nodded. Hiruzen looked down into Naruto's eyes "Naruto I can not tell you why this seal is on you but I can tell you that it is perfect in every way possible. In a few years when you are older I will tell you. But first." Hiruzen knelt in front of Naruto and bowed his head to the floor "Naruto I am sorry for the deplorable life you have lived because of my blindness I have wronged you beyond any possible way of redemption and I will spend the rest of my lowly life making it up to you." Naruto along with the other adults in the room stood shocked. Fugaku took a deep breath 'there is hope after all' he thought. Naruto sat in the floor in front of the old man. "I am ok. Please don't be sad." He said as he placed a single hand on the old man's shoulders and Hiruzen began to weep. Weep for the loss of so many close to him weep for the weight of all his wrongs and weep for being the cause of nearly killing a pure and innocent soul for nothing. Crow watched from his perch and although he would never admit it he let a few tears fall as well. This would bring change. After a time the Hokage stood wiped his tears and spoke "Please indulge this old man's whims and could you refrain to mention that I wept like a baby to others?" He relieved warm smiles from all parties. "Naruto why don't you go outside and play with Sauske I am sure you two will be good friends." Naruto frowned. "What do kids do when they play?" He asked. Hiruzen closed his eyes truly sorry for his wrongs. "Crow" he called. Crow immediately hopped down and stood before his Hokage. "Crow, please remove your mask and take some time to play with your brother and his new friend. Take it slow and show him how future shinobi play." Criw nodded before removing his mask. "Hello Naruto, let's go play." Itachi said with a small smile before taking Naruto outside after helping him put his shirt back on. "Come we have much to discuss at your table Fugaku and Mikoto."

The three sat and Hiruzen frowned. I feel as if I have released a genjutsue on myself but I need to determine both the extent of the damage and what evils I have done under it. First is fixing what I was about to do to your family. I blamed your whole clan and worked with the council to all but eliminate your clan. The removal of rights of privacy and even taking the home your people rightly deserve is wrong. I know you did not harm this village but it was someone in possession of a sharingan. I have also been manipulated most likely by someone in possession of a sharingan. My conclusion is that someone has been working behind the scenes for some time to create a situation where all Uchia could be eliminated." Mikoto gasped and Fugaku nodded. "I am glad my friend is back it has been hard to see you fall so far without knowing why we were no longer friends." "I to am glad you are my friend. Mikoto can I ask you to take over the care of Naruto for the time being until I know what really has happened to myself and my village." Mikoto nodded. "Fugaku can we keep this quiet for one week while I come up with a plan. I would like a list of all your allies in the village and every person who spoke against my recent decision towards you and your family. These may be the first of our allies that we can turn to to fix this. I have given up a great deal of power over the last four years and I believe it's time I get it back." Fugaku nodded. Hiruzen stood and left with Fugaku and Mikoto talking late into the afternoon.

Naruto watched as Sauske and Itachi played they encouraged him to join in and he began to play the fun game of secret ninja sneaking across the clearing without getting caught. Itachi noted that Naruto was rather good at hiding and decided to continue to test his infiltration skills from time to time. Naruto began to smile. These were his first friends he hoped. Naruto knew it was too soon to say for sure after all he had been tricked before but he hoped, he hoped he had truly found people who didn't call him monster.

Later that evening Hiruzen walked to his office ready to work late on the terrible pile of paperwork as a figure came to stand next to him. "Hello dear friend how did Fugaku take to your announcement." A man with a lone eye asked. "Ah Danzo, he did not take it well. As expected he threatened violence. I believe I have calmed him slightly but I do not believe he will be moving willingly. I have given him one week to begin moving before I will take stronger measures. Danzo can I trust you in helping me arrange a group to... assist in the move." Danzo nodded. "Of course Hokage-Sama I am ready to serve." Hiruzen nodded. "Good, good. Please leave a list of all of the soldiers you will be using on my desk in the morning and I may add a few I can trust. Unfortunately I can not include Itachi as recently he has shown a slightly renewed sense of family pride. Danzo there is something else." Danzo nodded. "Yes Hokage?" "I am worried about the deamon container it's been far to long since it's seal has been checked and I wonder if it is time we found a replacement. What are your thoughts?" Danzo smiled. "Hokage-Sama I have given much thought to this problem. I can check the seal if you wish as early as tomorrow after I drop off my list. As to a possible replacement I believe I have a couple of replacements in mind. Granted in order for it to be safe the replacement must be young so each option is just under four years of age." Hiruzen nodded. "Could you have that list available as well by tomorrow evening?" "Yes Hokage-Sama" Danzo smiled. "I will have Cat bring the container to my office in the morning at 7 I expect you then." Danzo nodded and left a smirk on his lips. Everything was going to plan. Hiruzen felt the joy imitate from his colleague as he walked away. 'Danzo what have you done.' Hiruzen thought as he quietly moved into his office. Inside his office Hiruzen made a motion and Hound appeared. "Tell Cat and Crow to be here within the hour. I expect you to stay as well upon arrival and don't be late we have much to plan." Hound nodded and disappeared in a swirl of leaves. "Danzo you may not live past tomorrow."