The story of a legend always has a rousing beginning. Some beginnings begin with pain and blood. Some begin with the usual cliché that embodies most legendary tales.

This particular story of this legend didn't begin with any misery; it began with a smile and tears of joy. Perhaps one can argue that when every time a child is born, everyone rejoices, but it isn't every child who's birth is celebrated in thestrongest village within the Elemental Nations.

Naruto's birth was marked with joy and all that came with it. He was after all, the first child of the beloved Yondaime Hokage of Konoha, or famous known as Konoha's yellow flash. That wasn't what made him special; he was born as the heir of the prestigious Uzumaki clan. The clan with blood ties to the Senju ties and by some accounts to the Uchiha clan.

Within days after his birth, before he could even say a single word, Uzumaki Naruto was already heralded, and proclaimed to the one who would succeed his father as Hokage. It was as such that for the first years of his life Naruto was the prince of Konoha by all accounts.

A bit cliché for a beginning, but that is how the legend of Uzumaki Naruto began. Perhaps not the real beginning of his legend, but the start of his life. Yes, his legend began not so far away.

The life of Uzumaki Naruto began seven years before the Kyuubi attacked Konoha. He was birthed into the prestigious clan of the Uzumaki as its heir and the only child of Konoha's greatest hero, Namikaze Minato.

Love and joy took turns in greeting the young Uzumaki from the day he was born. Everyone loved him. He was after all, the beloved prince of Konoha. The Hidden Leaf wasn't ruled by monarchy, but yet the redhead was his Highness more than anything. He was a celebrated crimson head child who busked in the affections the Leaf and even outsiders gave him.

Perhaps if life had continued in that manner, his legend wouldn't have begun. Yes, he would have grown up as a spoiled child who got everything he wanted. From the moment he started registering words clearly, he had been always called with -sama. The respect of birth, not of achievements.

It was all good while it lasted.

They say that nothing ever lasts forever. Naruto thought this saying would never reveal its ugly literal face before him. But it did, almost like a cliché sad story. the waves of joy disappeared in just one night. The terror and dread that ran rampant through that night removed all traces of the 'Highness' Naruto enjoyed.

A sister was supposed to be a blessing. Yes, Naruto had been thrilled to know he was going to have a younger sibling. His parents were overjoyed as well. But the night became a cursed blessing when the sibling was born: horrors occurred. Long story short: a mountain tall beast ran rampant throughout the village. Destruction was left in its wake, and death was at large.

The spoiled 'Highness' of Konoha had observed everything. He'd never been gripped with such dread in his short joyous life. But that day, he had seen destruction that followed the birth of his sister. Konoha was supposed to be celebrating, but instead, it had wept and mourned while the remnants of the night terrorized her villagers in nightmares.

The destruction the young eyes had seen wasn't what started the Legend of Uzumaki Naruto. No, events that followed started his legend. It wasn't even the fact that the Uzumaki Clan became hated once it became known that it housed the Kyuubi. The fact that some people had tried sneaking into clan compounds searching for the beast, some of his clansman had been killed in the process hadn't been the reason his legend started. Perhaps it had some affect.

But it was were his story started. It was were the ugly face of misery masked the face of the young Uzumaki.

The days of running through the parks playing catch with mother and father were gone – there was a new baby in the village. The love and joy that had coloured his life became a memory. The villagers turned their attention to more pressing matters –their hatred for the Kyuubi, their pain and rebuilding.

Overall, Naruto became invisible. Even as he walked through the village streets, people seemed to be ignoring him. Perhaps it was because he was a heir to the clan that contained the Kyuubi. The fact that he was Minato's son had been forgotten. Perhaps it was because he used Uzumaki rather than Namikaze.

Possibilities were many, but the invisibility cloak that he wore since the mad rampage by the Kyuubi pushed Uzumaki Naruto towards the embrace of legend.

The story begins…

Uzumaki Compound

The main house was bustling with activities as the clan members went in and out. The new baby was all that mattered these days. Her birth had been risky unlike his. There was also the fact that some of the Kyuubi's chakra resided in her. Naruto may have heard wrong. But those were just the whispers that bounced through the walls of the main house.

Naruto strolled through the people and walked towards his mother's oversized room. It had been a month since the Kyuubi filled the village with dread and ever since then, Kushina has been lying in bed with her blonde haired daughter. The extraction of the Kyuubi had left her weakened, and resealingithad taken a lot from her. A normal person would have kicked the bucket. But Kushina was Uzumaki by blood. She wasn't normal.

The villagers didn't know exactly what happened. All they believed was that their beloved Yondaime Hokage defeated the Kyuubi and since it couldn't be killed, the Uzumaki sealed it inside their compound.

There were ludicrous stories that said the Kyuubi was was living inside the clan's shrine. Some said it was in the temple. Naruto followed the rumours thoroughly. They were quite amusing. But the clan didn't seem to care much about it. Their main concern was Kushina and her young child.

Naruto hadn't been allowed to enter the room his mother was recovering within. He'd yet to even touch his little sister. Those old geezers who were perhaps touching at about a century of years didn't allow him. All he could do was watch from the entrance while his caretakers laid out the instructions that went through his ears.

He could only make a few things. He never listened. It was Naruto-sama something, Naruto-sama your studies, Naruto-sama go to sleep, Naruto-sama you shouldn't be here. It was all just noise. At times he wished he had a large bat to swat away the nuisances so he could have some peace of mind.

''Naruto-sama!''

looking through the door, Naruto could see his mother playing with the month year old baby. All he could see from the baby was the blonde hair – she took after her father. Kushina should be fine by now, but the old geezers with hundreds of years in experience forbade her from leaving the room unless nature called.

''Naruto-sama!''

The senile elders had once played a very cruel joke on him when he wanted to forcefully walk into the room: they put on a barrier and told him to study it and if is able to deactivate it, they would allow him to enter. It hadn't been funny. He was seven. He couldn't understand advanced work from a fuinjutsu expert.

When those words had been said, Naruto hadn't bothered looking back. He had walked away from the door towards his room to do something useful: destroying some things he owned in anger.

''Uzumaki-sama!''

There was something in his ears, but Naruto couldn't really make it out. He was busy with his thoughts. Sometimes he just wished he could deactivate his hearing and become deaf. Perhaps he would apply to become deaf when it was convenient for him.

''Ouch!'' Naruto cried placing his hands atop of his head – where he'd been hit.

Naruto turned to the wrinkled face that was staring at him sternly. He smiled nervously. The advantages of being a child. If only he was dealing with normal people, he could leave free. But the people that surrounded him were beyond normal. Especially this old woman.

Yet, trying didn't hurt him. Who knew? Perhaps one day those eyes would give in to the demands of the age.

''What did I say about coming here during day?''

The stern tone. It was piercing through the senses. It wasn't the kind that would go on the left ear and leave out of the right. Naruto found it bothersome. He couldn't ignore it like the other mumbling voices in the compound. How he wished he could find some way to be immune to it.

If he found the formula, Minato would surely be the first person to try purchase the formula from him. The poor Hokage really suffered from this old geezer. It was almost sad seeing him shrink with each crushing word coming out of her mouth.

Still, it wasn't sad enough for Naruto to pity the man. Perhaps some thought of him enjoyed watching someone being at the bitter end of Yoshino's sharp words.

''Sorry Oba-san,'' Naruto said apologetically. ''Every day the desire to be in that room just grows stronger. Even if I were to get beat, I don't think I would stay away,'' his eyes turned to the room once again, a warm smile graced his lips. ''That is my mother, and my little sister. Wouldn't you wish to be closer to them?''

Yoshino sighed. ''Just hold on for another week,'' she said warmly. ''Now beat it. Your mother needs rest. When little Karin wakes up, she will be problematic.''

That was without question. The infant had the power to leave Kushina clueless on what to do to keep her quiet. Naruto sometimes felt sorry for his mother. He was sure he hadn't abused his mother as Karin was. The girl made his mother look like she was an amateur in raising up kids.

Looking back at the obstacle in front of him, Naruto internally shook his head, shoving all the thoughts at the back of his head.

Outwardly, Naruto nodded and turned away from the old woman.

What do to?

Around this time, when the days were still pleasant, full of love and joy, he would be hanging with his mother at the park, away from the senile geezers who made him suffer through learning Fuinjutsu. Seriously, even his mother had to step in to shield him from the amount of knowledge being filled into his little head. Now that everyone was on their feet, securing the clan compound parameters, he had free time to roam around without being tested.

It was even more of a joy that the century old woman didn't question him about his progress in Fuinjutsu. At times Naruto thought the woman was insanelyobsessed with his advancement in the art. She had no problems in playing the cruel game in order to get him to learn. Well, he could go to his room and do a victory dance or just run about the village doing a victory lap since he wasn't questioned about something he has been avoiding to do since Karin was born.

''Naruto.''

Curses.

Naruto turned around to face the old woman. Why did he even have such thoughts? He should have known that the woman had psychic abilities.

The redhead smiled pleasantly, eyes closed. ''Oba-san..?'' he said in a sweet and innocent tone.

That normally worked like a charm on other people, but the woman had some resistance that was unbreakable. Hell, even the legendary puppy eyes were no effect to her. She just shrugged it off. Perhaps she had seen it too often to be fooled by it.

''Are you still continuing with your studies?''

There was only one right answer to the question and Naruto wasn't going to offer one that would land him into trouble. ''Naturally,'' the young Uzumaki said. ''I wouldn't want to displease Oba-san by slacking off. Besides, as you always say, I must advance splendidly to make the clan proud.''

Yoshino's eyes thinned slightly as she scrutinized Naruto's expression. It felt as if the woman trying to peel off the mask on his face. But Naruto was confident enough to just keep smiling as he was.

This was a good way to avoid being read. Naruto had learned the technique a year ago: close your eyes and smile. That way he wouldn't feel as if he was staring at death and was being fed a truth serum when staring at the woman's eyes.

''I should hope so,'' there was an unsaid warming. ''Once Karin-chan is ready to see the sun, I will want to see what you have learned. Of course, if there is no improvement, there will be consequences.''

So much for leaving the warning unsaid. He could have had the bitter joy of creeping himself out thinking of what could be his punishment should he disappoint.

Well, it was time to get back to the books again. Naruto didn't want to be locked in a room full of explosive tags and told to disarm them within an hour or they would explode. Thinking about that experience, Naruto couldn't help but shiver slightly.

The senile old woman believed the best learning course was through pain.

Well, she was right. He certainly worked fast when he was in danger. Naturally, he wouldn't willingly agree to such brutal methods. Even his beloved mother didn't agree to them. But of course, Yoshino seemed to have the upper hand in every argument.

''You won't be disappointed Oba-san,'' Naruto said sweetly as he turned away.

Some fresh air outside the clan compound would do. Perhaps he could go see his father. It was around lunch anyway. The man should be available for a chat.

That decided, Naruto smiled contently, and marched towards the Hokage tower to see his beloved father. The thought of seeing his father made the blood inside him flow freely and electrolytes poked there and there around his body. If there was anyone who understood, it was Minato. That loving father of his.

The smile Naruto put on when he thought of his beloved father didn't deserve to be in this world. Yes, it was out of this world. He could as well be taken to heaven while riding the joys of the memories he had with his father. It wasn't just his father only, but his mother as well. Ah, how could he not love his mother like that as well?

She was a delight.

The silent treatment from the streets didn't bother Naruto as he flew towards his father's office. No, he didn't even notice it. The memory joys were pushing him like a monstrous wave. He couldn't see anything from the other side but the wave.

Hokage Office

When Naruto reached the office, he found his beloved father present. ''Otou-sama,'' the redhead greeted happily as he entered the office.

Minato peeked through the mountain of papers – that seemed to be holding a meeting on his desk. The Yondaime smiled at his son. The smile was weak. Even a seven year old Naruto could see that. It was very weak. Even gravity seemed to be pulling it down. Minato couldn't keep it for too long. Every second it seemed to fall off as if it was dozing off.

The man was hardly home over the past month. Naruto couldn't really follow what was going on. But he just made bits about enemies being outside the village outskirts and dealing with the effects of the Kyuubi's mad rampage as well as the resentful villagers. It was tough, apparently.

Still, seeing his beloved father like that made Naruto frown slightly. Obviously, even if he asked, the man wouldn't be able to go to the park with him. It was sad. All those happy thoughts just got buried six feet under even before Minato could say anything.

''Naruto...'' Minato said weakly. ''You caught me at a wrong time...''

The voice was weak. It was almost as if the man has been starved for days. His eyes were slightly unfocused. He wasn't getting much sleep. Naruto blamed being Hokage. If it wasn't because of this job, he would be having his father now.

They couldn't even go to the ramen stand to enjoy lunch together with his mother as well. How things changed. If only that tragedy didn't happen. Things wouldn't have changed.

Naruto pushed all the gloomy thoughts away. He chose to act as if he had suffered from a memory loss – having forgotten what his father had just said. ''When is your lunch, Otou-sama?''

Minato closed his eyes slightly as he tried to put on a strong mask on his face. ''I've already eaten,'' he said, still weakly. He wanted to strengthen his voice, but he couldn't. He was too worn out.

''Oh...''

The sadness and disappointment in Naruto's voice hit Minato like a cold slap. He couldn't disappoint his son like that. And so, he was quick to try to correct things.

''How about this. We will have lunch together, tomorrow. Icharaku ramen. I'll get you as many bowls as you like,'' Minato offered, trying to appease his son. ''I'll even be back home for dinner today. Perhaps I'll take you to the Hokage Monument thereafter.''

There have been disappointments of late. His father had once said he would come back for dinner. But when he came back home, he didn't even eat. He went straight to bed. And that wasn't the only time Minato had done so. Yet even so, Naruto smiled at his father. He would wait patiently for his father to come back home later on.

This was his father. His beloved father. There was no reason to count the sins of the past.

''I-''

Naruto was cut off when the doors burst open. Two geezers walked in side by side, their movements in sync. They didn't even spare him a glance. They just ignored his presence and went straight to his father.

''Minato. What are you still doing here?! The Feudal Lord he waiting for you at the Council Chambers!''

Minato blinked? He'd forgotten about that. He looked at Naruto for a moment and sighed. He was going to disappoint his son, yet again. The boy had been forced to come here because he was hardly home these days. It couldn't be helped, but he seriously had to make some time for Naruto. He couldn't keep disappointing him.

''I'm sorry Naruto, but I have to go to a meeting right now,'' Minato said walking over to his son. He kneeled in front of the redhead and smiled sadly. ''I'll see you later, okay?''

Naruto pulled his father for a hug, and nodded.

''Enough of this!'' Koharu interrupted the moment. ''You can't make the Daimyo wait for you. We don't want to displease him at this stage.''

That tone: it was commanding his beloved father to get away from him and rush over to meet this feudal Lord. Of course he understood who the man was. He was a clan heir. Such knowledge was drilled into him when he started learning how to write. Even if he understood that, Naruto didn't like it one bit. It was as if those grumpy bastards didn't care about his time with his father.

Naruto resented anyone who thought his beloved father was wasting time hanging around with him. He may be the Hokage, but he was still his father and Naruto believed that family should come first. Even when the current events liked to tease him saying otherwise, Naruto didn't waver from his belief.

''I'm sure he can understand,'' Minato said, separating from Naruto. ''Besides, if he decides not to support Konoha in this time, it will only weaken the Fire country.''

There was a bit of nonchalance in Minato's tone. Perhaps it was because he understood that Konoha couldn't be forced to do anything bythe Daimyo and that without Konoha, the man couldn't boast about leading the strongest country. Konoha's strength was part of the parcel that made him powerful. The Sandaime may have played it safe, but Minato wasn't surely going to let anyone roll over him.

The carelessness in the Yondaime's tone didn't please the two elders. Their eyes narrowed and they spoke in a dangerous tone. ''You better not take that kind of tone to the meeting.''

''Now hurry up. Hiruzen is keeping him busy for now,'' Koharu finished up after Homura. ''We need funding to help rebuild after everything and with Iwa and Kumo making a lot of noise, we can't afford to make troubles with the Feudal Lord.''

''Hai hai,'' Minato said, seemingly all energetic for a bit. ''Family is important as well. You have your own families, and I have mine. Moments with my son are also important,'' Minato was smiling to his son by now.

Naruto just warmed up to his father. If the elders didn't know it, he was also shooting them a look that clearly said, 'take that you old geezers.' They thought they could take away his father like that. Suits them right!

''He is just a child. He doesn't understand anything. And you must know that the village comes first before anything!''

Minato refused to comment on that. He gave Naruto one last smile as he stood up. And all of the sudden it was weak again. It was as if the words coming from the old hag had just sulked up all the energy he'd received when they'd hugged.

Although they didn't notice it, Naruto gave the elders a nasty look.

''I'll see you at home,'' Minato said before disappearing in a flash of yellow.

With his father gone, Naruto had no reason to be here. But he couldn't leave with those two still in the office. He wanted nothing more than to glare at them and say something. But he couldn't think of anything appropriate to say.

''What are you still doing here? This isn't a place for children.''

It wasn't for old geezers either. They were too old to be giving orders. Other old people were at home taking care for their grandkids, telling them fairy tales and other unbelievable stories. But who was he to say. Naruto couldn't say anything. They would just point out that he was a child and it was better not to make any troubles.

Still his mother had taught him that he shouldn't allow himself to be bullied and that he should fight back. It was only fitting for the son of Kushina to be strong. And as heir of the Uzumaki clan, he couldn't afford to be seen as a weak child.

This was bullying right? They were picking up on him because he was a child.

The woman shook her head. ''I don't even understand why he is still doing out in the streets. He should be in the academy like other kids. Well, one thing is for certain though, the days of playing prince are over.''

They were picking on him.

Well, they were old people and they could be right. The joyous days were leaving him. All that was left was just a memory. Still, Naruto smiled innocently, eyes closed, head tilted to the right. ''Sorry. I'll go play along with other kids in the park...''

That was a lie. He didn't have any friends. The only friends he'd only made were his parents. He'd spent most of his time with his mother and being forced to study books and learning the proper manners and discipline.

Naruto turned his way, still smiling and ran along out of the office. Home was the destination.

Night came quickly as the seconds ticked away. Naruto hadn't felt a thing. It hadn't felt like hours had gone by for the night to greet the Village Hidden in Leaves with a cold breeze that forced most villagers intothe comfort of their beloved homes.

The excitement of waiting for his father had been a little too much. He couldn't help but wait. It was almost as if his body had been induced with a large sum of adrenaline. He wasn't all bubbly enough to be dancing around the main house like the child he was. He'd simply been wearing an eternal smile that couldn't be brushed off no matter what was said to him.

It was even more so fine at this time of the night as most people who ran around this house were at their homes, spending time with their families. Tomorrow would be another day to return and work. The century old geezer was the only one who stayed behind sometimes. This was her home too. She was also needed to take care of his mother and the sister he had yet to hold.

At this time, Naruto could even do a victory dance around the old woman while she was sleeping. The woman was deaf to everything around her when she was sleeping. Hell, the house could crumble down to the ground and she wouldn't hear it. Naruto doubted if the woman hadn't been awake to handle things when Karin was being born, she would have probably slept the hole night unless she was woken up.

The Uzumaki Compound was the safest place to be in the village. Security measures had been increased when some villagers had been sneaking into the compound. Now, no one could enter the compound. Hell, not even Anbu could sneak in. It was on lockdown and the only way in was the through the gate.

''Naruto-chan,'' a tired Kushina called out to Naruto – who was sitting at the livingroom, waiting patiently for his father. The t.v wasn't even on. It was hardly anything to go by when the boy was waiting for his father.

''Kaa-san,'' Naruto said turning to his mother. She also had that tired smile about her. Karin had been crying tirelessly once again, and his mother had been struggling to keep hold of the baby.

Naruto was sure he hadn't been such a bother to his mother as Karin was. He was sure he'd behaved and hadn't made his mother worn out trying to calm him and stop him from crying. Perhaps Karin was bothered by the Kyuubi's chakra inside of her. Not that he understood how it all affected her body and mind. The whispers were that things were under control and they could remove it from her safely.

''You look tired,'' Naruto said to his mother.

''Karin-chan is a handful,'' Kushina said as she sat down beside Naruto. The moment she sat down, her eyes closed. ''Have you eaten?''

Naruto shook his head, ''Otou-sama said he would come back for dinner. I'll eat when he comes back,'' the redhead said calmly.

Kushina knew that trying to tell him to eat just in case Minato returns too late would be troublesome. It would require an effort. When Naruto didn't want to do something, he wouldn't do it. He was just as stubborn as she was. Of course she wasn't happy with him starving himself. No mother would be happy to see that, especially when there was food available.

There was even a possibility that Minato might return late late at midnight, and by then, he would be too tired for anything. Things were just a bit troublesome and she couldn't ask Naruto to understand the situation. He was just a kid after all.

''You eat something hungry...'' Kushina murmured, eyes closed. She probably didn't hear how she sounded. ''You want tummy grupl...''

Naruto smiled sadly. Even if his stomach made a few complains, he would tell it to shut down so that he could relax and wait patiently for his beloved father. He assured himself he wouldn't eat before his father came back, and that was what he was going to do. It didn't matter how along he had to wait. As long as his father came back to him, he would be at peace.

The parents were always busy these days. When they were not doing anything, they were sleeping. It was a problem. It was beginning to make Naruto feel lonely. A part of him was being stripped away. And he didn't like it. The change was just too much.

Even so, Naruto loved his parents. They'd given him the best moments in his short life. If anyoneasked who his best friends were: it was Oto-sama and Ka-san. Even if Kushina fell asleep right next to himwhen she'd just gotten to him, he didn't feel troubled to run towards his room to get a blanket and put it over her.

And he did so: happily.

And then waited for his father.

And waited until he fell asleep.

At around 11pm, Minato returned home. He found both mother and son sleeping on the couch. The son curled up like a cat. He must have been feeling cold, he didn't have anything on him like his mother. It didn't take a genius to figure out why Kushina had a blanket and why Naruto didn't have any.

It left a bitter taste in Minato's mouth knowing that Naruto fell asleep in this place waiting for him. He wasn't just waiting. He had told his beloved son that he would return for dinner, and he hadn't. It wasn't the first time that he'd let his son down. He was tired, but the thought of disappointing his son gave him some energy to be mad at himself.

How long before Naruto started doubting his word? If things continued like this, his son would stop believing him when he says he would be home. Not being trusted by your own child. That would be heartbreaking.

Well, there was nothing he could do to solve at this time of the hour.

First thing first, Minato removed the blanket on Kushina and put it on Naruto before picking up the mother of his children. He flashed away in blur of yellow.

A few moments later he returned and gently picked up Naruto. Another flash of yellow and he was in the centre of Naruto's room. He placed the redhead down the bed and hopped in himself. He wanted to stay just a little while with Naruto. Even though the was asleep. It meant something to him.

Just being close to his son gave him some comfort.

Naruto stirred slightly... ''To-san...'' he mumbled slowly and in a sleepy tone.

Minato smiled, pulling Naruto closer. ''I'm sorry,'' that was all he could say.

Naruto didn't respond. He'd gone back to sleep. Minato didn't say anything again either, he too fell asleep.

The Following Day

''Yoh!'' Kakashi greeted, walking towards Naruto – who was sitting under a tree at the back of his house.

Naruto looked up from his book: the first thing he noticed was Kakashi's smile. ''You should teach me that smile, Kakashi. Its classic and I like it,'' the redhead said lightly to the Anbu.

He was always looking to add to his arsenal. Getting that iconic smile would do wonders for him when one mask gets torn apart by someone.

Kakashi sat down beside Naruto before he responded. ''You have yours,'' he said.

Naruto may not know, but that smile could be both scary and unreadable. It was sometimes scary because Naruto seemed to put it on inany situation. You could point a knife at the redhead's neck and tell him that you would slit his throat if he didn't tell what was needed and the redhead would respond with that smile of his.

Saying something like, 'Really?'

Of course those who knew were aware that the smile was most often put to hide the true feelings. Perhaps it could be categorized as Naruto's fake smile, but it wasn't necessarily a fake smile. Those who didn't know may not notice it because he did it so sweetly with a bit of innocence.

''I know, but would it hurt if we smiled the same every now and then?''

Kakashi shrugged. ''Yoshino-san still making you read every morning before you leave the compound?''

Naruto nodded with a frown. ''Saying I read while I didn't will only get me into trouble because I will still have to do tests, and I'm only going to suffer when I'm forced to demonstrate what I have learned.''

Naruto was beginning to think that the old woman liked to make him suffer. Perhaps he'd done something horrible unintentionally. Who knew? What was without question was that he really didn't enjoy spending time with Yoshino.

Think of her made his muscles tense and there was always the urge to either just dig hole and crawl inside or just smile pleasantly while praying to the gods to make her disappear from his head.

''No slacking off, huh?''

But it was only reading. As far as Kakashi was concerned, the redhead wasn't taught any other shinobi art other than Fuinjutsu. They focused on art of sealing because it was a proud skill that Uzumaki possessed with great expertise than any other. They seal specialized in seals. No wonder they didn't bother with other arts.

Then again, Naruto was still young. Things may be tense outside, but no one was forcing Kids to be put into training so that they could be shipped to war as they were during the Third Shinobi World war. Kakashi hoped that things didn't go that far, but with how things were outside, anything was possible.

Naruto was the Hokage's son, if things reached a boiling point. They would first look at him. He would be expected to fight as his father, leading by example.

At least the boy had his mother. Kushina would tear apart anyone who comes up with the idea of sending her son to war at his age. There would be no reasoning with the woman.

''No. Slack off and you get punished for it. Even if nobody is watching, the actions will always expose the innocent lies,'' Naruto said shaking his head. ''You're not doing missions today?''

''I'm on guard duty for the next three months,'' Kakashi said.

It was sort of his time off because he'd been working tirelessly when Kushina was pregnant and over the past month. His sensei had granted him the time to relax away from the battles outside the village and being on 24/7 guard duty. He only had to work some shifts now.

''So, you'll have more time then. Not that it will matter,'' Naruto said with a sigh. It was really difficult to get in touch with the Anbu even when he was free. Kakashi hardly ever came around to hang out. It made even his young mind curious. ''So?''

''I'd come to see your mother,'' Kakashi said. ''I'm going to be spending some time here watching over your little sister. You know since those incidents none clan members aren't really welcomed into the clan compound.''

Could his people be blamed for doing so? The whole village thought the Bijuu that nearly destroyed their beloved village was being worshiped inside the compound and came in here to try to slay it.

The thought that they could worship such a creature was ridiculous. No one tried to say otherwise though, not from the clan. Minato had tired to say something, and only succeeded in calming his people from doing stupid things. But the Uzumakis have kept their distance and their silence. They chose not to involve in themselves in petty conflicts with the villagers.

Hell, the fact that they thought the Bijuu was inside their shrine was because the clan had decided it wasn't worth telling them who the Bijuu was sealed into. It was decided that it should be kept a secret. And as far as Naruto knew, even the Village Council didn't know.

That century old woman had simply told them that the Kyuubi was their burden since it came to Konoha and unless they planned to use the Bijuu as a weapon then they didn't need to know. But of course there was the punchline that if that were the case, those clan members would have to volunteer one of their children to become the host weapon and the Uzumaki would willingly ensure the sealing was a success.

It was allowing the Council to know who the Bijuu was sealed into that led to the information leaking out, so they didn't have much of a say.

''How are things?''

Naruto looked into the sky for a few moments. ''Okay, I guess,'' he said.

Kakashi raised an eye brow in response. Really? He thought. Well, he hadn't been told that Naruto was down lately, but things had definitely changed and they weren't going to get better. This was why he was even here in the first place. Then again, Naruto was just a kid. Perhaps he was choosing to ignore the glaring reality to keep his happiness.

Since Naruto had been loved by the villagers, he doesn't receive some resentment from the villagers as most of the clan members do when they areoutside the Uzumaki compound. It would be difficult to hate what they used to adore, especially without any proof of the redhead doing anything wrong. And so they chose to just pretend as if he was invisible.

The redhead had yet to feel how damaging being ignored was, but he would soon enough. Kakashi was sure of it.

He hoped then, the boy would be able to cope.

''Naruto-sama!'' A young lady called out from the backdoor. ''Its time for your history lessons.''

Naruto groaned. Once again, he wished he was both deaf and blind. He wouldn't need to learn these things. ''I wish I was 18 or Jonin already,'' he said, closing his book.

''What happens then?''

''They said mother can only lead temporarily, and father can't be clan head despite marrying into the clan because he isn't Uzumaki by blood. So, when I reach that point, I will become Head and will get to do whatever I want. No one will be saying Naruto you can't do this, Naruto you can't touch that, you can't go there. You're too young to know...''

Kakashi looked amused. The childish tone Naruto used was a befitting. ''Well, become Jonin quickly and you'll avoid all that.''

He meant it as a joke, but Naruto took it seriously. ''So, you became Jonin at a relatively young age. I can do it as well. I will ask my senseis about it and see what they say...''

''You're not serious, are you?''

Naruto did his thing: he smiled, eyes closed, and head tilted to the right, ''Who knows?''

As Naruto walked away, Kakashi shrugged. Its not like the redhead would actually do it. Not now. He couldn't become Jonin with just Fuinjutsu skills. Naruto had nofighting skills whatsoever. So Kakashi wasn't worried.

A Week Later

The week didn't go as fast as Naruto would've liked. It had gone as slow as a turtle running a marathon. There had been times he wished he knew were the one who controlled time hid the big red button that pushed time forward, just so the week could end already. But it had gone slowly. It had been a torture to his young mind and had made sleep more than he normally does.

The only good thing that came out of sleeping was that he was able to avoid Yoshino and her scorpion tongue. His room was his holy ground. It wasn't a place were everyone went in as they pleased. Perhaps she'd even kept away from him because the final tests were being carried out around the house and the compound as a whole. The village was also getting a new look in terms of the fuinjutsu at work.

Naruto had showed up for every meal. Things were difficult, but not so difficult enough for him to miss a meal. If he'd missed one, he would have been forced to eat. That senile old woman would have shoved the food down his throat. She wouldn't have problems feeding him like he was an infant.

Throughout the week, Naruto hadn't seen his beloved father. That night. That night his dear father had said he was sorry and that fell asleep in his bed, had been the last time he saw him. It bothered Naruto, more than he was willing to admit and more than he gave that sweet smile to anyone who asked if everything was alright.

Naruto put away the disappointments of the week with blood chilling excitement. His mother was finally going to be allowed to leave that room whenever she wanted and he would be able to hold his young sister. What more could he ask? There wasn't anything more than that. Especially when a little voice inside of him whispered that even his father may be able to get some time off from that demanding work and spend some time with his children.

More family time. Naruto was excited for that.

''Ah!'' Kushina stretched out herself, breathing in the natural air outside the main house. ''I feel like taking a walk outside...''

She had been cooped up inside the house with nothing to do. The first two weeks were understandable. She had gone through the Kyuubi's extraction and then the Bijuu was resealed into her again. Normally, the extraction would have killed anyone. Only an Uzumaki could survive. Hell, not even those Uchiha - who held themselves as the most powerful clan in the village couldn't survive something like that.

The ordeal had left her worn out, and with little energy. She had recovered after two weeks and three more weeks were forced upon her.

''And who is going to look after Karin-chan while you're out?'' Yoshino questioned, in a demanding tone. ''I'm not going to take care of another one of your brats while you run around the village. Naruto was a handful enough.''

''I will take her with me,'' Kushina said simply.

''That isn't going to happen. Not when things are that tense outside,'' Yoshino said sternly. ''We don't know what might happen if you go outside. They ignore Naruto, and show contempt to our clan. Karin shouldn't be exposed to such an environment.''

''We won't know until Iget out there,'' Kushina said with a shrug. ''Besides, Kakashi will be guarding me. Nothing will happen. I'm just going to the Uchiha Compound to see Mikoto-chan...'' as the words left her mouth, Kushina sent a dangerous look towards Yoshino –who was reminded that Kushina was just as stubborn as she was.

''You have to understand that we couldn't allow anyone inside the compound. Not even friends,'' Yoshino said a bit quickly. ''It won't be necessary for you to go there anyway. Mikoto is coming here herself.''

At this time, Naruto stood at the doorway. Watching the match between his beloved mother and the old hag.

''You didn't plan that so that I don'tgo out did you?'' Kushina questioned, walking towards Yoshino.

''Of course not,'' the old woman said quickly.

''Good,'' Kushina said with a smile. ''Because when Mikoto comes here, I will walk her out of the compound and you won't stop me. You can try, but I doubt you'd be very successful...''

Naruto smiled inwardly. Ah, that was one way to win an argument with the old woman. The challenge of physical prowess. One thing was obvious, Kushina wasn't afraid to get physical with anyone.

''Come on, Naruto,'' Kushina said pulling Naruto.

They went into her oversized room, and she showed him Karin. Naruto just stood there, motionless. The baby was beautiful. It was the cutest thing he had ever seen. The little hands, the little fingers. Her eyes. There were just like his. The bright hair was obviously from their father. But it was no doubt it was his younger sister.

Naruto felt a sudden wave of emotions flush over him. It was a bit overwhelming that he wanted to cry. But he held himself. He didn't want to cry in front of his younger sister. That would be wrong. What would happen if Karin cried as well. Who would his mother comfort first?

The redhead looked at his smiling mother, ''Can I?''

''Sure you can...''

Naruto leaned over and picked up the little girl. He was sure her eyes had looked at him curiously. She didn't recognize him. She had yet to see him after all. The little hands were raised up slightly as if she was trying to grab his face. Naruto gave the baby his finger and she took it with both hands.

He played with her slightly and she giggled. The sound was a soft melody that just coursed through his entire body, and Naruto found himself giggling as well. This caused Kushina to laugh, but Naruto didn't look at his mother: he was in heaven.

''Let's go outside and wait for Mikoto-chan,'' Kushina said to Naruto.

The redhead didn't respond. He just turned around, Karin in both his hands. Held firmly, yet gently. Kushina just smiled. Perhaps she shouldn't have allowed them to deprive her son of this feeling. He seemed so happy, and oblivious to the world around him.

''Where do you think you're going?''

Whether Naruto heard that stern voice or not, it was up for debate. He didn't even so much as twitch. He just continued walking, playing with the baby. It was his beloved younger sister.

''Naruto...'' now that was a mad dog growling.

Curses.

''I told you that after a week, you would have to show me your progress. Now give Karin to your mother so we can go...''

Naruto looked at his mother pleadingly.

Kushina was sure the old woman wouldn't back down and fighting this would only give Naruto more work. Besides, she wanted to have an adult conversation with Mikoto. There was a lot she missed over the past month.

''I'll be back quickly. Promise,'' Kushina said, taking Karin from Naruto.

Naruto hid his disappointment from his mother. It didn't matter if she would be back sooner or later. The fact is that he didn't want to leave with that old woman. He wanted to spend time with his beloved sister and his mother. Nothing else. And the fact that she was going to leave him in the hands of that senile sharp tongue was a disappointment.

Where were the good days she used to shield him from most damages? She couldn't do it all the time but there were days she tried, and even if he ended up being pulled to the torture chamber, he would know that she had tried, but failed because she was trying to push a mountain.

''Come on, Naruto. My legs aren't youthful as they used to be.''

Naruto smiled, turning towards the old woman. He was tempted to tell her to just lie down and crawl like a snake. He'd heard one of her grand kids telling her that when she had complained about her age. But he was certain it wouldn't end well for him.

So, he settled for a smile and said, ''Hai, Oba-san...''

Yoshino frowned at the smile on Naruto's face. It was becoming unnerving. She hoped it didn't turn into one of those twisted smiles soon. ''Wipe that smile off your face,'' she ordered.

Whether Naruto was conscious of it was a question Yoshino begged to ask: Naruto didn't wipe it off. He just continued smiling in the same way he was and said, ''Hai hai...'' in that innocent tone of his.

Yoshino felt a cold chill run down her spine.

Later that day

Uzumaki Compound

Minato smiled warmly, holding his second child. This was the first time he was holding Karin outside of his bedroom. Things were always a bit difficult with everyone running around the house and Kushina being kept locked in that room. Well, it worked for the best. Nothing bad had happened to her and the young girl who looked almost like him – well by hair and eyes only.

The difficult standing with the village made things a bit difficult for everyone, but things would proceed smoothly once he focuses his attention on the villagers. He wasn't going to allow the villagers to do as they pleased. Even other clan heads agreed that there was no justifiable reason for them to look at the Uzumaki with contempt and suspicion.

For now, he was just happy to be home with his family. ''Where is Naruto?'' Minato asked Kushina – who was leaning against his right shoulder, sitting on the coach, in the sitting room.

''He is probably still with Oba-san,'' Kushina said. She frowned slightly. ''He is getting worked hard because of the responsibility that will fall on him once he grows. I wish they didn't take it too far though.''

''You should talk to them,'' Minato said. ''I also want Naruto be have a normal childhood. Well, we did everything we could before this. We can't be blamed for not having being therefor him.''

He had made time for his son and wife. Things were just different now, but he had raised Naruto as best as he could. Hell, he had even replaced himself with a clone during lunch time to spend time with his son. Naruto was his son. He had a responsibility towards him as well. And he had fulfilled his duties as a Kage and a father splendidly.

Not of late though. That made him frown. Disappointed with himself even.

''The Uzumaki won't listen to me. But they will listen to you,'' Minato added.

Kushina sighed. ''I will try to do something,'' she said a bit tiredly at the thought of facing off with that woman. ''At least he has learned necessities required for a clan heir and the so-called prince of Konoha. That should be enough.''

Minato laughed at hearing Naruto's tittle. ''Prince of Konoha, huh? Things have changed now. But I still hope I treat this one as they treated Naruto,'' he was sad and hopeful at the same time.

''Have I missed that much?'' Kushina asked, seeing the sad smile in Minato's face.

The Yondaime Hokage nodded. ''Your clan and the Uchiha clan have become scapegoats for everything. Since they can't direct their hatred at the Kyuubi, because they can't see it, they are directing it at the Uzumaki clan. The Uchiha are suspected for being the ones that led it to the village.

Although it is the Uzumaki who managed to re-seal the Bijuu, you are being made to look like you're sheltering the Bijuu from harm. All I did was teleport the Bijuu away from the village, stopping it from destroying the village, you did the rest, but they seem only to see what I did as the only good.''

Kushina released a long breath. ''Its that bad, huh? Well, no wonder it was being kept away from me. But when I was walking through the streets, they didn't seem to hate me. In fact, most of them of them came up to me to see Karin-chan. I don't think we will have a problem with her.''

Minato smiled. ''That is at least good,'' he said. ''Naruto is being ignored though. I think they will like Karin because she carries my name,'' he paused for a moment. ''I hope that things will change soon enough. We can't live happily in such conditions."

Kushina nodded. She turned tothe door as she heard it open. A tired looking Naruto entered the room. Both parents smiled, seeing the older child. ''Naruto, come and Join us,'' Minato said happily.

Kushina nodded, already holding out her hands to welcome Naruto. ''This will be the first time we all sit together as a family...'' she said excitedly.

Naruto liked the idea as well. It was pleasant and just washed over all that tiredness he had in him. He wanted nothing more than to just run to his mother's arms. But he kept his cool. He wasn't about to act like a little boy in front of his younger sister.

As Naruto walked towards his parents, Karin started to cry.

That killed the mood.

Both parents scrambled trying to make the baby stop crying. They appeared to be unsuccessful though as this went on for a couple of minutes. Minato just seemed clueless on what to do. Naruto just waited in the sideways until he decided to just excuse himself.

All that tiredness he'd been feeling had returned at full force and then some.

Even as he left the room no one seemed to notice him. He understood Karin was crying. But that didn't make the negative emotions in him go away. He felt something as he climbed up the stairs, seeing both his parents become oblivious of his presence and make a fuss over the crying baby.

Still, Naruto didn't let it bother him. He reasoned he was walking away because he was tired and it was his body pushing him towards his room, not the negative emotions he was feeling. That was the only thought that comforted him enough for him to have a good night sleep.

He hoped tomorrow would be different.

But he'd been wrong; the day hadn't been any different. In fact, it seemed to have grown into a new ache inside his chest. He'd started it happily. That old woman had said he could take the day off because he'd impressed her with how far he'd gone with his Fuinjutsu. She'd even said that he'd done more than she had expected given that his skills when he first began learning were mediocre at best.

Naruto hadn't been insulted by those bluntly words slapped into his face. There was a secret that Yoshino didn't know. When those words slapped him, he rubbed them away from his conscious by thinking:

How little she knew.

It hadn't been that he had been pathetic in Fuinjutsu. It was simple: he was just a kid and he liked to play rather than being stuck in itchy clothes while learning everything that could be known. Of course the first thought was that if he sucked at Fuinjutsu he would be able to get off the hard work and they would just leave him be as a useless brat who couldn't do something both his parents excelled in.

That wouldn't have bothered Naruto. As long as he ran rampant in the park with his parents watching his every move, he would have enjoyed his life. But his little hopes were dashed when that old hag 'theorized' it was just best to teach him the cruel way. That way, he would eventually learn.

She thought her harsh lessons were proving to be productive, but it wasn't like that.

Still, Naruto cursed himself for having made that choice. It has only landed him in more unnecessary pain. He hadn't bothered telling the truth however.

With the day off, Naruto had thought he would enjoy some time with his mother and little sister. His beloved father was out of the question because he always had to run off to work early in the morning.

Those hopes were quickly dashed.

It may have been morning for him, but he was much late than usual. The weariness of yesterday's night had made him sleep in and no one had bothered waking him up since it was his day off. Even so, whatkilled the happy thought was that both his parents were said to have left off early with Karin.

Naruto might have been jealous, but it bothered him that his father was willing to make time for Karin but couldn't make it for him. What was worse, they'd left off without him. They didn't wake him up. They had breakfast and left him all alone. Perhaps he was being childish in feeling negative about it all. But who could complain? He was a child. He was supposed to have childish thoughts.

The young Uzumaki took care of his body and filled up his gut before making his way out of the compound. He didn't go too far though. The atmosphere became all too apparent to him. Perhaps it was because he was feeling down.

But what had apparently happened was that Minato had stood before everyone with Kushina and revealed his second child: his daughter Karin who looked like him.

They'd done it without him. Shouldn't he have been there with them to take a family photo? Shouldn't he have been the one to hold Karin as her brother?

Naruto felt left out. The whispers in the streets didn't paint a better picture inside his head.

Everyone in the streets was going all and all about how she was like her father, and how the other kid didn't look like Minato. The other kid?! Apparently they were suffering from selective amnesia. They didn't recognize him even as he walked along the streets.

Thinking deep about it, Naruto realized that he'd been wearing the invisibility cloak since the Kyuubi attacked. he'd just been ignorant of it to take to heart. But now it hurt. He didn't want to be invisible. Did these people think he might be the one carrying the Kyuubi? Did they just wish to ignore him because he was the heir of the clan that held the Kyuubi within its walls?

With such questions and no answers, Naruto had cut his journey short and had returned to the home thinking it was his safe place.

But the atmosphere there would prove to be as destructive as the one outside.

The month that followed didn't change anything. The Uzumaki compound was fussing about Karin. Day in and day out. It was Karin this and Karin that. No one minded him. Hell, even his caretakers were now solely focused on taking care of Karin. His father's time in the house had become rare, but even if it was rare, he only spent time with his daughter.

No one even came to his room to say good night.

The senile geezer had said he shouldn't let things bother him because things were like this after he was born and that things would change. But days just piled up and nothing changed. Even if he tried telling himself that he should give Karin time to be loved as he was loved, the fact that his presence had seemingly become non-existent was tearing him apart in the insides.

It felt as if he was living inside his own little bottle: it was like he was on his own inside Konoha. Worse of all, even at his own home. his life, his existence, his worth, it had all vanished. And he'd become unclothed, and no one took pity to cloth him.

Naruto realized it then: all the fuss the villagers made about him during those good days weren't because he was great or they just loved him. No, it was all because of Minato. And now something new had replaced him.

The fuss they'd made about him was like what they do about fashion. Now something new had popped up and they'd thrown him into the back of the wardrobe, never to be picked up again.

There was also the fact that he hadn't inherited that blond hair from his father.

Outrageous rumours flew about.

But Naruto didn't care too much for it. The cold hard truth was that, he was nothing. The fame had just been borrowed. He never deserved the fame in the first place. But he still deserved being visible inside the house he called home –or as it had become; the place he slept and the place that fed him.

One thing was certain; if he wanted to become visible again, he would have to earn it.

But one thing that made him bitter was the fact that he could no longer feel the love from his parents and he didn't have to earn their love and affection. They were his parents. They ought to be there. But now they were just present in the house. Nevertheless didn't feel like his parents, but Karin's parents.

A/N

Hi. This is that story "I am legend." My final story. It won't be long.

If anyone can beta read this for me, please pm me and we'll talk.

Let me know what you think.

The omnipresent Sage