Disclaimer: Naruto and all related characters, settings, and concepts belong to Masashi Kishimoto, Shueisha, and Studio Pierrot. This fanfiction is a work of fan interpretation and is written for entertainment purposes only. I do not claim ownership of Naruto or any of its official elements, and no copyright infringement is intended.
It was a normal day in the village of Konohagakure 'the village hidden in the leaves', well as normal as it can be for the village of supernatural beings known as Ninja. A 16 year old Kunoichi Kurenai Yuuhi is returning from her chunin exam after being promoted successfully on her first try. She is on her way to meet her best friend/headache/roommate Anko Mitarashi to celebrate. Tokubetsu Jonin of T and I is a paradox to her; she loves her but also wants to kill her sometimes. One thing is for sure Anko is loyal to her friends and village, no matter what anyone says.
"Nai-chan" a shout interrupts Kurenai's musing as she turns to Anko standing in front of their favourite BBQ restaurant with her other friend the calm and quiet Yugao Uzuki and Wild and unruly Hana Inazuka. Kurenai smiles as she sees the banner of 'Congratulations on Promotion' over the table in the private room they had booked.
"How are you guys? It has been a month since I last saw you" Kurenai asked. "You know nothing new our Yugao has been promoted to ABNU captain of her team and Hana has opened her own Vet Clinic" was Anko's reply which earned her a bonk the head by said captain. "It is supposed to be a village secret Anko" reproached Yugao though there was hardly any heat in her voice due to their room having a privacy seal.
"That's amazing" Kurenai says "then let us toast to the future". Hence began the private party between four friends.
"This is the last year that Ninjas can graduate at the age of 17, from next year the graduation age will be at age 18 and admission age will be at age of 14. I still remember the day I graduated at 13 and was unprepared for the horrors that awaited us." Hana said wistfully. "I still cannot believe The Third Hokage was able to convince other villages to increase the graduation age for genins in 'Kage Summit'."
"It was not just Third who was in Favor of this implementation but also Fifth Mizukage and Third Tsuchikage. There were a lot of cases of early graduates going rogue because of the stress. " Replied Yugao. "But it's not like we have stopped recruiting young ninjas in our ranks, there are always exceptional kids who can handle the stress with right counseling. ANBU is always looking for talented individuals and it is the same for every other village. They are just kept hidden and are not sent out on field until they are deemed ready. Just today I was given the profiles for new possible recruits."
"Oh oh is it someone we know" exclaimed Snake mistress. "Like Izumi's little brother? Or maybe the princess of destruction I have been hearing about recently. Heard she disintegrated half of her bedroom when she awakened her Bloodline Limit last month."
Giving a deadpan look to Anko, Kurenai said "I am quite sure there will be no early requirement for Uchihas after Fugaku's Debacle 3 Years ago leaving only few Uchiha alive." There was not an ounce of respect in her voice ex-clan head. Their physiology is very different from normal due to the stress Sharingan puts on their brain. If it were not Izumi we might have had a Civil war on our hand destroying what little we built back after…" Kurenai suddenly stopped remembering the incident ten years ago which made into an orphan. If not for her Aunt she does not know if she would not have survived.
Hana squeezed her hand giving her the look not of sympathy but understanding since she lost her father in the same incident.
"ummm so about the new recruits" Anko trying to change the topic since she does not really have the empathetic capacity to cheer up her best friend.
"There is one kid we all know but he doesn't really have much of a choice in the matter."
"Huh I don't think Hokage will force a kid to join ANBU if he doesn't want to." A Confused Anko replied.
"it's not that hokage will force him to join. In fact he wants the kid to have a normal childhood, but that option is no longer possible for him."
"You mean …" Kurenai questioned with an edge in her voice.
"Naruto Uzumaki" Yugao answered her affirmatively, pausing for a bit seeing Kurenai's face. "What happened 12 years ago was not his fault Kurenai, please stop blaming him like the Common villagers who don't understand Sealing Arts." There was a bit of an anger in her voice which was unusual for the normally cool Sword mistress. Apparently Naruto being forced to join ANBU due circumstances out of his control was a sore point for her.
"I Know," Kurenai Replied raising her voice. "I know it is not right to do so, but what should I do? Whenever I see him I don't see a kid but that nightmare from ten years ago. The village on fire and that monster in the middle looking down on everything with its red burning eyes. I don't know what to do so I just avoid him" her voice barely a whisper by the end.
Hana and Anko looked at each other stuck in the middle of their usual argument. "I understand why Kurenai hate him"
"I don't hate him" a whisper is heard but ignored by Anko.
"Why do you defend him so passionately?" Anko asked.
"Did you ask for that Cursed Seal Anko?"
"What did you just say?" Anko asks in a low voice with venom dripping from her tone. If it were anybody else but Yugao who said that she might have thrown caution to wind and attacked them, consequences be damned.
Yugao breathes out a sigh knowing she should not have said something like this "All I am saying is that kid never asked for this. He was used as a literal sacrifice for saving this village without his consent. And all he got in return was to be treated as the same thing he holds back." Yugao paused as if to contemplate whether to speak her next sentence. "Almost everyone lost someone that day. Third lost his wife, Hana lost her father, Kurenai became an orphan, and the village lost Fourth Hokage." Yugao took a breath and paused again. "But no one and I mean no one lost more than him on that day. He lost his childhood. He even lost his identity as a human and became a Jinchuriki that day just because he was born that day. Just because his ……" Yugao stopped herself and controlled her emotions. "I am sorry I think I had a little too much alcohol. I should return to my quarters, tomorrow is an early day for me." With that Yugao left without another word.
"Well …." Hana was interrupted by Anko
"I am sorry guys I have to leave too" with that Anko disappeared from her seat in the puff of smoke putting an end to the gathering.
Konoha Cemetery
"I got promoted to a chunin dad" in front of a tombstone which read "Kazama Yuhi" stood beautiful Budding Genjutsu Mistress of Konoha. "I wonder if you would have supported my decision to become a Ninja? Would you have helped with my training? I just wished things were different and wished they were better. I know you would be disappointed by how the village has treated 'Him', how I have treated him. Steering clear of the kid like he is some sort of disease. I just wished I was as strong as you, I wish I had the 'Will of Fire' burning as bright as yours."
Konoha Market
While walking on the way back home Kurenai came across the topic of her earlier discussion standing alone in front of what she assumed was a gift shop. 'Maybe fate is playing a game with me'. She mused sarcastically. As always, she was going to walk away ignoring him as always, but remembering Yugao's angry face from earlier she stopped near him and crouched down. 'He didn't ask for this either'
Feeling someone beside him Naruto looked at the side and was stunned at seeing a Beautiful lady crouching down beside him. Usually this was the beginning of getting cursed at and being asked to go away. But this time was different.
Kurenai was suddenly looking at clear blue eyes and cute round face. Even though she does not have much experience as a ninja right now she can see the fear in those blue eyes darting everywhere looking for escape, the tightening of muscles, and the shuffling of legs to run away at a moment's notice. 'He has lost more than anyone'
"Calm down please, I am not going to hurt you. Okay?" Naruto heard a sweet and soft voice and focused back on ruby coloured eyes of the lady crouching near him. "Are you planning to buy something from this store kid"
"Yes, but I am not sure if the owner will allow me to buy anything." Giving a shaky nod Naruto replied. Still not sure if this lady was going to harm him. He saw her pupil suddenly shake, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath and opened her eyes again. Naruto saw something change in her eyes, he didn't know what the difference was but somehow it looked like she looked at him differently. 'He even lost his identity as a human'.
"How about you come with me to the shop I frequently visit to buy what you need? Are you looking to buy a gift for someone? He has some souvenirs and trinkets you can buy as a gift. He will give you a good price since he knows me well." What she didn't mention was that he is a former shinobi and her father's old friend so he will most likely not discriminate against Naruto. 'Hopefully' she thought, remembering her earlier thoughts. Only now she understood the implications of what Yugao said.
She stood straight and held out her hand for Naruto who grabbed her hand very nervously. Kurenai could feel his hands were sweating due to nervousness which she ignored and guided him. "My name is Kurenai Yuhi. What is your name."
"Naruto Uzumaki" and so began an event that changed the life of an orphan who lost everything at the time of his birth. The child of two legends who will later grow up to earn the title of 'Phantom of the Elemental Nations'