Disclaimer: Anything that you do not recognize as owned by Naruto is owned
by me!
Author's Disclaimer : This is my First Naruto Fanfiction so go easy on me, Thanks!.
Child of Two Worlds
By: Remmie Lupin-Black
Chapter One: The Truth of Uzumaki Naruto
Blue eyes gazed forlornly at the village that lay beneath. Blue eyes turned away and gazed upwards, staring at the star speckled sky. The warm night breeze ruffled short unruly blonde hair. A small hand reached up and brushed away stray bangs and continued to stare up at the sky. The sky had always been friendly and opening, it never judge him for what he was or what he did. The sky, as lame as it sounds, had been his only friend. Legs were drawn closely to his chest, his arms locked around them. Tears blurred his vision, he blinked, causing the tears to slide down his cheeks. He turned away from the sky and buried his face into his knees, crying.
At long last, he thought he had found people that cared for him. People he could trust beside the ever constant Umino Iruka, Tsunade and Jiraiya. How wrong he had been, they didn't care about him nor did they want him. That had been made very clear to him after the second failed Chunnin exams; Orochimaru had interrupted in the first and now Itachi had interrupted the second. It was then that his supposed Sensei had split the team up, again. He, Hatake Kakashi, had taken the Village's number rookiee, Uchiha Sasuke, to train. Haruno Sakura had been placed with the Special Jonin Mitarashi Anko. He had been drafted, again, to a closet pervert, Ebisu, who hated him as much as everyone else. Tear-stained blue eyes looked at the Village, forlornly. A twig snapped behind him. He was up in a flash, staring at the figure that emerged from the shadows. It was Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage.
"I thought I'd find you here, Naruto" Tsunade said. Uzumaki Naruto looked down, not wanting to face the Sennin. "You caused your teammates and teacher great worry disappearing like that".
"They don't care about me" Naruto whimpered. "They just pretended to care about me". Blue eyes looked up, causing Tsunade's heart to ache. They shone with loneliness, pain and so much guilt. "What did I do wrong? To make people hate me so much?Am I a bad person cause I carry Kyuubi?" Tsunade walked forward and knelt, she drew the young child into her arms. Naruto threw his arms around the Hokage's neck and buried his face into her shoulder. Tsunade rocked back and forth, attempting to consol the child, who was Hidden Leaf's hero.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Naruto" Tsunade consoled. "It wasn't you". Her hand rubbed circles on the boy's back. Her eyes stared up at the sky, silently cursing everyone. Tsunade pulled back, her hands resting on Naruto's shoulders. "Naruto there's someone here to see you". Out of the darkness, a white-haired man appeared.
"Ero-Sennin" Naruto said. He moved past the Hokage and ran to the white haired Sennin. Jiraiya knelt and gathered his former blonde-haired student into his arms. Naruto held onto Jiraiya as if his life depend on it. Jiraiya glared at the village that caused such a pure-hearted child such pain.
"Come on, Kid" Jiraiya said. "You and me are leaving. We're gonna go travelling again". Jiraiya looked at his pupil. Naruto nodded, but still clung to the Frog Hermit. "We'd better get going. We still need to pack your things". Jiraiya turned to his former teammate and fellow Sennin. "We'll be leaving at dawn's first light tomorrow. See ya around, Tsunade".
The blonde haired woman watched as Jiraiya walked away carrying his pupil. She sighed and turned to look at the village that looked so innocence in the night light. Tsunade couldn't help but feel hatred towards everyone; everyone that pitched in and helped destroyed such a gentle soul. Whether they did it conciously or not. The gentle night wind ruffled Tsunade's hair.
Before the sun had even become to rise, Jiraiya and Naruto walked to the Gate of Hidden Leaf. They were surprised to see Umino Iruka standing there, as if waiting for them. Iruka saw them and smiled, a sad smile. He knelt and caught Naruto into his arms, as the young shinobi had run to him. The two clung to each other. Iruka pulled back and stared into Naruto's blue eyes. "You take care of yourself when you're out there" Iruka said, smiling. He lifted one of his hands and cupped Naruto's cheek. "Remember there are some people here that do love you" Iruka said, smiling. Naruto nodded and hugged Iruka again.
"I love you too" Naruto said. The two pulled back, they stared at each other for a while before Iruka pushed Naruto's Hitai-ate up and pressed a kiss to the boy's forehead. Naruto gave Iruka one last hug. He turned and ran to Jiraiya, he grasped the Sennin's hand but turned to look at Iruka. "I'll write, I promise! I'll see you again, Aniki!" Iruka blinked at the title but smiled and waved goodbye until the doors closed. He sighed and looked up at the sky. The clear blue remind Iruka so much of Naruto's once happy blue eyes. He turned and walked away, his hand stuck into his pockets. His mind repeating Naruto's last words to him. He turned and stared at the large gates, smiling softly.
(I love you, Ototo).
Kakashi and his two pupils burst into the Hokage's office. "Godaime- sama, Naruto's gone!" Sakura wailed. "We searched his home but he wasn't there!"
Tsunade looked up from her work. Her eyes were very cold towards them, she leaned back. "I know Naruto's gone" Tsunade replied. "I also know where and why he has gone. If you'll check the Lists, Kakashi, you will discover that Uzumaki Naruto has been removed from your Team per my instructions".
"What? Why?"
Tsunade stood up, glaring. "Why? After what you did, you have the gall to ask me Why?!" Tsunade shouted. "Get out! NOW!"
"Where's Naruto?" Sasuke interrupted. His dark eyes studying the angry Hokage, warily. Tsunade sat down, closing her eyes and taking several deep breathes to calm herself. She opened her eyes and stared coolly at Team Seven.
"He's left with Jiraiya this morning" Tsunade replied. "He's Jiraiya's pupil now. No concerned to you, any of you".
"He is my concern" Kakashi protested. "He was my pupil for two years and you want me to stop being concerned for him? Hokage -Sama, you know who that Boy is and you want me to stop being concerned?" Tsunade looked at Sakura and Sasuke.
"Leave, this matter is no longer your concern". Sasuke and Sakura bowed and left the two alone as they exited the office. Sasuke threw a look over his shoulder before the doors closed behind them, cutting them away from the conversation. Tsunade folded her hands together and rested her chin on them. "I know who Naruto really is, so does Jiraiya . . . But you made it quite clear to us after you spilt your team up that you no longer cared. Nor did you want Naruto on your team".
"I split the team up because I thought they could learn something from different people" Kakashi said. "Sasuke stayed with me, yes, because he wanted to Master the Sharingan. After that I would have handed him to someone with the experience of helping him with his curse seal. I can only do so much, Tsunade. I thought that if I placed Naruto in Ebisu's tutelage then maybe he would find Jiraiya again. Seems my plan worked a little too well". Kakashi rubbed his good eye and rested his hands on his hips. "I messed up, badly".
"Yes, you did" Tsunade replied. "You have a fourteen-year-old out there believing that no one loves him, Iruka and Myself and Jiraiya excluded. Kakashi, what on earth possessed you to split the team up?" Kakashi crossed his arms and stared out the window. "Kakashi?"
"I was hoping that Naruto would be able to access his Advance Bloodline" Kakashi replied. Tsunade raised an eyebrow, she was frowning, she had hoped that it was the same bloodline that she was thinking of. "It was inherited from his mother". Tsunade inwardly sighed, thankful; but she was curious of this new bloodline.
"What is it?" Tsunade inquired.
Kakashi walked away from the Hokage and stared out the window. "How much do you know of the Yondaime's wife?" Kakashi countered.
"Not much, I never really met the woman" Tsunade replied. "But from what I remember hearing she was a remarkable woman, a perfect match to Yondaime". Tsunade looked at the supposedly lazy Jonin. "Why do you ask?"
"Naruto's mother was Imahitotsu Ayame of the Hidden Air Shinobi" Kakashi replied. "She was the Heir Apparent to the Imahitotsu Clan in that Village and blessed with their Advanced Bloodline. She was quite the remarkable woman. If you thought I was bad at being a Genius at Jutsus, she was ten times worst". Kakashi looked out the window. "By the time Ayame-San was ten, she was already a Anbu Squad Leader. Everyone thought she would become the next Leader of Hidden Air, that was until she met up with Yondaime when she was working an assignment here in Hidden Leaf. She never returned to her home in Hidden Air, but stayed here and married. She became Uzumaki Ayame". Kakashi turned and looked at Tsunade, his good eye was sharp and narrow. "One would never believe that someone as sweet and gentle as Ayame-San was such a deadly killer nor the heir to such a powerful Bloodline".
"Where are getting at, Kakashi?" Tsunade inquired, getting impatient.
"Have you ever heard of the Ginmegan?" Kakashi inquired.
"The Legendary Silver Eyes? Of course, who hasn't heard the stories?" Tsunade returned. Kakashi turned and looked out the window. "The Legends say that the Sharingan and Byukagan are lesser eyes compared to such the Ginmegan and it is rumored that the Sharingan and Byukagan Bloodlines are from that Bloodline. Kakashi, what are you saying?"
"The Silver Eyes aren't just a legend" Kakashi replied. "Ayame-San was the Heir Apparent before her death to that Bloodline, only her Clan possess the ability to reproduce to the Silver Eyes. It's easy to sense after meeting someone bearing the eyes. Godaime, I felt the ability within him, with in Naruto. A greater ability then when I felt Ayame-San's ability. I believe when Naruto becomes older he won't just possess the ability, it will manifest to become his natural eyes."
"You mean like what the Sharingan did toUchiha Itachi's eyes?" Tsunade stated.
"Something like that" Kakashi replied. "But We'll never know with Naruto out travelling with Jiraiya-Sama".
Tsunade shook her head and rested it against her hands. "I'll be leaving now, Hokage-sama" Kakashi said, bowing. He left the Fifth Hokage to her own wonderings, all the while pondering over what he had done that caused the departure of Naruto.
Three Years Later . . . .
Three figures were running through the forest of Konoha, towards the Village. One was the Legendary Frog Hermit, Jiraiya. He had not changed much in the last three years since the Village had last saw him. Save for the fact that his Perverted Habits had curved somewhat. The second figure was Uzumaki Naruto. He had changed a great deal in his years away from the village. He had grown, not much but it was enough for him. He was slimer and leaner built, his once sunshine hair had lightened until was a silver-blonde. Once unruly, it had tamed out and was tied into a braid. His sky blue eyes were changed into a Blue-Violet-Silver color. At His side, ran a great silver Fox that bore nine-tails and a strange markings upon its forehead and underneath its eyes. "Not much farther now, Naruto" Jiraiya commented. The blonde nodded and flipped over a fallen branch. Landing with expert ease beside the Fox, who dodged a fallen branch and moved underneath Naruto, allowing the Blonde to rest upon its back. "Oi, No fair" Jiraiya commented. "No helping, Fox!" Amber eyes looked at Jiraiya, the Fox took off running. Leaving Jiraiya behind him. "HEY! DAMN FOX!!!"
Naruto bent low on the Fox's back, allowing the Fox to reach unimaginable speed; they ran through the forest almost a blur to an untrained eye. Naruto spotted the Gates to the Village of the Hidden Leaf before them. "The Gates are before us" Naruto whispered. "Sensei should be coming". The Fox nodded and burst into a faster speed. "Think you can jump it?" The Fox gave him a look as if to say 'You're Kidding, right?' "Silly me, I forgot" Naruto said. The Fox hit the clearing at super-human speeds. Naruto could hear the shouts of the Guards of the Gate, he couldn't help but smile. His Fox took a leap and landed half way there before taking another jump, this one clearing the top and landing on the other side. They came to a slidding halt. Naruto sat up and looked up at the Gate Guards' shocked faces. He climbed off the fox, who nuzzled his leg. Naruto turned and lavished affection on the strange beast. "You Brat!" came a shout.
"You made it, Sensei" Naruto said in his quiet way. He gave a smile at the white haired Sennin. "You almost beat us". Jiraiya glared at his pupil, who smiled at his teacher. "Should we not check in with Godaime- Sama, Sensei?"
"I suppose so" Jiraiya sighed. "Come on, let's go. And no riding that damnable Fox! I mean it".
"I suppose so" Naruto said. He moved in behind Jiraiya; the fox at his side, who was busily glaring at Jiraiya. "Be polite, he is my sensei" Naruto admonished the Fox. Amber eyes gave its human companion a reproachful look. "We will go riding tonight, Promise". The Fox yipped and danced around Naruto, causing the Blonde to stop and laugh at its animal companion. Jiraiya stopped and looked at his pupil, who was now kneeling and lavishing affection on the Fox. It was good to see that Twinkle in the Boy's eyes. It remind Jiraiya of the boy's father, Uzumaki Arashi or better known as the Yondaime Hokage.
"Naruto, come on" Jiraiya ordered. "I don't want Tsunade coming after my blood".
"I doubt Obasan will do that, Jiraiya-Sensei" Naruto said, standing. "But you are right, we do need to report into Obasan". Naruto moved to Jiraiya's side, the fox moving up to the teenager's side. "After reporting into Obasan, can we see Aniki?" Jiraiya nodded, smiling at his pupil. Naruto looked to his Fox. "You can finally met my Aniki, Inari".
Jiraiya made to tell Naruto to stop talking to his Fox companion but decided against it. People all the time talk to animals, what made any difference if Naruto talked to Inari. Oh, one thing. The Bloody thing talked back to Naruto. Him too, when he wanted to listen to the bloody Fox. Jiraiya wove his way through the streets of Hidden Leaf. Not that it was hard, considering many people were parting because of Naruto and Inari, in wonder and curiousity. Jiraiya felt Naruto's small hand take his and he move into his Sensei. Jiraiya moved an arm around the boy's slender shoulders, he gave Naruto a reassuring squeeze. Inari growled at several people causing them to back away. Jiraiya grabbed the Fox by the scruff, ignoring the warning growl. Together, the trio disappeared in a pouf of smoke.
Tsunade jumped in surprisement as a pair of arms wrapped around her neck. "Obasan" said a familiar voice. Tsunade turned around and gapped at the sight before her. Naruto stood there, smiling; he stood to her chin, dressed in all black save for her necklance hanging and his hitai-ate around his neck. He had grown beautifully. "Konnicha wa, Obasan". Tsunade smiled and hugged the small teenager to her.
"Let 'em breathe, Tsunade" came Jiraiya's voice. Tsunade looked up see her former teammate and fellow Sennin. But it was the Silver Fox that got her attention. It sat at Jiraiya's side as if it belonged there. It may a sound and turned to Naruto, who moved away.
"Obasan, allow me to introduce Inari" Naruto said. "He's my Guide . . . Inari allow me to introduce the Fifth Hokage, Uzumaki Tsunade". Tsunade was surprised that Naruto knew her true name. But she was even more surprised to see the fox dip it's head in a sort of bow. Tsunade felt that she return for some strange reason and she did so. Naruto smiled and walked over to Inari and knelt wrapping his arms around the Fox's neck and nuzzled closer to him.
"Jiraiya, what is that Fox?" Tsunade whispered as she dragged the Hermit away from Naruto and Inari. She gave the white-haired man a stern look, who relented. He turned to Naruto, who sat on the floor watching them.
"Oi, Kid . . . Why don't you take Inari and head to Uzumaki Estates?" Jiraiya ordered. "You know the way, right?"
"Hai, Can I visit Aniki?" Naruto inquired. "I will take Inari with me, Promise".
"No, wait til I get back to the estates" Jiraiya replied, sternly. "Inari, make sure that he isn't hurt or I'll have your Tails, understood". The Fox gave Jiraiya a dirty look before following Naruto out. Jiraiya turned to his female companion. "Do not look at me like that, Tsunade". Tsunade glared at the perverted Frog Hermit. "Alright, Kami's sake, back off will ya". Tsunade walked away and sat at her desk and gave him a pointed look. "The Fox is Inari, a ninetails".
"A Ninetails?"
"Yeah, he was present to Naruto when he succeeded his mother's position as Heir" Jiraiya replied. "You know we all thought that Arashi chose Naruto because that he was the best chance the village had. I can't believe how wrong we were" Jiraiya sat down in one of chairs, his eyes trained on the floor. "All this time, He was hiding the truth from us, Tsunade . . . From everyone".
"Truth?"
"The truth about his wife's clan" Jiraiya replied. "The Hidden Air Clan, Imahitotsu. The Heir to the Legendary Silver Eyes and Children of two worlds". Tsunade looked at him strangely. "Each, and I mean each, Person of the Clan possess a supernatural other . . . And believe it or not, but their supernatural others are Fox Deities. We were so wrong about Kyuubi all those years ago. He wasn't trying to hurt us . . . He was trying to prevent an assassination from occuring. An assassination that would have claimed the lives of Arashi and his family. Not like it would have helped".
"Jiraiya, start from the beginning" Tsunade ordered.
"It started a Two years ago . . . Naruto and I had just arrived in Air Country . . . ."
Naruto followed behind his Sensei as he stared in wonder at the Air country. It was so different from the Humid warmth of his Home in the South, here it was cold and snow lay in abundance. He and Jiraiya had been travelling for a year, never staying the same spot for few weeks, not that it mattered away. Naruto liked travelling. He liked being with Jiraiya, who had become a psuedo-father in the year. Especially since he tried to curve his perverted habits when he was around. A guess it was the aftermath of what happened two months ago, Naruto unconciously shivered. Naruto stopped as something headed his way, he dodged and landed crouched a few feet away. He looked, warily, at Jiraiya who held a ball of snow. "Sensei, what are you doing?" Naruto inquired.
"Starting a snowball fight" Jiraiya replied. Naruto tilted his head sideways, confused. "You never had a snowball fight?" Naruto shook his head, Jiraiya walked over and crouched down and began to explain what a snowball fight was.
"Oh! I get it!"Naruto exclaimed. He scooped up some snow and packed it into a ball, and threw it at Jiraiya, planting it in his face. Naruto laughed and ran away, dodging Jiraiya. Little did he know that it was Jiraiya's way of getting him to forget what happened. The two continued their game, they were so wrapped up that they didn't sense the group of Shinobi approaching them. Naruto bumped into someone, he turned and gazed up into the face of an masked Shinobi. He backed away, until he was beside Jiraiya. The Blonde hid behind his tall Sensei, his small hands gripping his Sensei's right arm. Jiraiya glared at the group, not pleased with their intrusion.
"Can we help you?" Jiraiya inquired. He would be ready to fight if the Shinobi proved to be a threat, but he could be hinder by Naruto's now timid nature. Jiraiya pushed that out of his mind. Naruto was never a hinderance.
"Why are you trepassing on these grounds?" demanded the lead Shinobi.
"What grounds?" Jiraiya questioned, not liking where this was headed. Naruto gave a frightened yelp as he was pulled away from his Sensei and pinned against a stronger body. Jiraiya turned around and snarled at the Shinobi that held the frightened Naruto. "Let him go!" Jiraiya made to attack was dealt with, he was planted face first into the snow, a shinobi sitting on his back. Jiraiya struggled but the Shinobi held fast.
"NO! Leave him alone!" Naruto cried. "SENSEI!" He struggled against his captor, trying to free himself and attempt to help his Sensei. "Lemme go!" The Shinobi tightened his grip. Images flooded Naruto's memory and he screamed in fear. Jiraiya's head snapped up and he promptly threw the Shinobi off him and quickly moved to Naruto. His punch connected with the Naruto's captor's face. Jiraiya was on his knees, his arms around Naruto's shivering body. The Blonde clung to Jiraiya, his face peeking out of his sensei's shoulder in fear of the Shinobi. Jiraiya stood, his arms around Naruto protectively. He glared at the Shinobi.
"Halt!" came a commanding voice. Everyone turned to see an aged Shinobi appear, strange markings around his face. "What is the meaning of this? Asahi, answer me!"
"They are intruders, Otousan!" replied the Lead shinobi.
"Intruders, Bah!" replied the elder. "Can you not see that they of the Leaf. If I am going blind in my old age, the white haired one is Jiraiya, the Frog Hermit. One of the Legendary Sennin of the Hidden Leaf Village. From your sister's adopted Village". The Shinobi had the graced to looked ashamed. Jiraiya looked at the Elder Shinobi.
"You are from Hidden Air?" Jiraiya questioned.
"We are, forgive my son" said the Shinobi. "We had many attacks on our home that we have become suspicious of everyone. I am Imahitotsu Byakko, Leader of the Imahitotsu Clan. May I inquire who the boy is?"
Jiraiya looked at the frighten child in his arms and looked at Byakko. He knelt and released Naruto from his arms. "It's alright, Naruto" Jiraiya said, gently. "You have no reason to fear, he isn't here. Come it's alright, you safe, I'm right here". Slowly Naruto released his sensei, he peeked over his shoulder at Byakko. Jiraiya stood and placed his hands on Naruto's shoulders and turned his around. Byakko's eyes widened. "Allow me to introduce my pupil, Uzumaki-Imahitotsu Naruto, son of Uzumaki Arashi and Uzumaki-Imahitotsu Ayame". The Shinobi gasped and gazed in wonder at the Blonde. Byakko walked forward, Asahi behind him. The Leader of the Imahitotsu Clan knelt and gazed at the child.
"Is it really Ayame's child?" Byakko inquired, daring to believe. Jiraiya nodded, he gave Naruto a little nudge forward. The Blonde looked at the man timidly. "Child, do you know who I am?" Naruto shook his head no. "Imahitotsu Byakko, father of Uzumaki-Imahitotsu Ayame". Realisation started to dawn in Naruto's eyes. He moved forward, timidly.
"Ojiisan?"
Byakko nodded and was immediately hugged by Naruto. The elder Shinobi seemed to cling to his long-lost grandchild, tears in his eyes. His Ayame was still alive. He pulled back and stared fondly at Naruto. "You look so much like your mother" Byakko said. Naruto gave a tentive smiled, he looked at Asahi, who knelt.
"Imahitotsu Asahi, younger twin brother of Ayame" Asahi replied.
"Ojisan" Naruto said. He moved to hug Asahi, who pressed a kiss to Naruto's blonde locks. He stood, holding Naruto as if he was a child.
"Come, we must head to the Village" Byakko said, he turned to Naruto, who was quite content in Asahi's arms. "Your grandmother and uncles are going to want to met you". Jiraiya nodded, he moved to Asahi's side and slowly the group moved out.
Imahitotsu Ai stood patiently at the doorway to the main house of the Imahitotsu Clan. On the Deck was her three sons and Four Brother-in-laws. "They are late getting back" commented her second eldest brother-in-law, Fokkusu. He was playing Shogi with his youngest nephew, Aozora. Ai looked to her brother-in-law, not commenting to him. She turned back to her watching.
"Okaasan come and sit" ordered her thrid eldest son, Ginrei. "There is no point in standing there. Otousan and Asahi will be fine, they are the best warriors in the Family". Ai's other sons, Tsuki and Aozora voiced their agreements.
"Best listen, Ai" Iduzna, the second eldest brother-in-law, said. "Byakko would not want you worrying over nothing". Ai sighed and sat down beside Tsuki, who immediately offered up his heavier coat for his mother. He wrapped it around his mother and grasped her hand. The clonging of the Village bell alerted them to the return of Byakko and his group. Ai stood with her sons surrounding her. "Oh, Byakko is going to get . . eh, Kit?"
Kitsune, the second youngest brother-in-law, nodded with the youngest, Gingitsune's agreement. Byakko appeared with Asahi and two strangers. One of the strangers, a child, was being carried by Asahi. Byakko was talking to the white-haired strangers. "Fokkusu, is that not Jiraiya of the Legendary Sennin of Leaf Country?" Gingitsune inquired. His brother nodded. The Four Brothers stood.
Asahi looked up and saw his mother. He immediately ducked behind his Father and peeked out over the elder shinobi's shoulder. Naruto noticed his Uncle's discomfort, he looked around and saw a woman standing with seven men. He could only assume this was the rest of his mother's family. He watched as Ai stalked up to his grandfather and land a nice ringing slap across his face. Naruto flinched and curled into his Uncle for protection. Jiraiya noticed his pupil's fear and placed himself between the woman and Asahi and Naruto. Ai turned to Jiraiya, glaring. "Move" she ordered, coldly. Jiraiya gave her a glare and refused to budge.
"No, Jiraiya-San, it is all right" Asahi said. He moved passed the Sennin, setting Naruto down in front of him. The Blonde clung, frightened to his uncle. Ai looked at the child that gripped Asahi's waist in a death grip. He seemed frightened of her, which was a great surprise to her. Ai made to talk to him but Naruto squeaked and ran to Jiraiya, cling to his teacher. Byakko glared at his wife and went to Naruto's side. He touched the Boy's shoulder causing him to flinch and shifted his position so that his teacher was in between everyone and him. Frighten blue eyes looked up at his grandfather.
Byakko gave Naruto a loving smile and reached out for him. Naruto gave Ai a frighten look but grasped Byakko's hand and allowed him to pull him from behind Jiraiya. Gasps went up in the family. Naruto got a better look at the long-lost family that he had just newly acquired. Each of them, save for Ai, had silver-blonde hair with silver-blue eyes. Well, the younger men did. The elders had silver-white hair. Naruto shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny. Ginrei, Tsuki and Aozora moved forward. Their eyes never leaving the child that looked like a half-replica of their desceased elder sister. "Everyone, allow me to introduce Uzumaki-Imahitotsu Naruto, Ayame's son" Byakko said. He knelt and wrapped one arm around Naruto, who inturn wrapped his arms around his grandfather's neck. "Naruto those three right there are your mother's younger brothers, your uncles. The one on the left is Ginrei, the middle one is Tsuki and the one on the right is Aozora. The woman before us is your grandmother, Ai. And those four are my younger brothers. The one of the left is Fokkusu, the two in the middle are Idunza and Kitsune and the one of the right is Gingitsune".
Naruto looked shyly at his grandmother, uncles and great-uncles. He turned and buried his face into his grandfather's shoulders. "Stop staring" Jiraiya ordered. "You're scaring him". All eyes reverted to Jiraiya, who was standing behind Naruto and Byakko. He glared at them, clearly not liking them for scaring his pupil.
"And why should he be scared of us, his own family?" Ai questioned. Jiraiya ignored her and bent gathering his small pupil into his arms. He moved forward to Ai. She watched him warily. Jiraiya turned Naruto in his arms, so that he wasn't hiding his face anymore.
"Naruto, this is your grandmother, Ai" Jiraiya started with introduction again. "She of the Aoi Clan of Hidden Cloud". Ai raised her eyebrow curious as how Jiraiya knew about her family. "She has your old temperment. Now, why don't you say hello?"
"Konnicha wa, Obaasan" Naruto said, quietly. Ai smiled.
"Konnicha wa, magomusuke" Ai said. Jiraiya moved towards Asahi's brothers, who all smiled at the blonde.
"These are your Uncles. Genrei . . . Tsuki . . . Aozora" Jiraiya said. "Genrei is apart of the Anbu assassin Corps. Tsuki is a Teacher at the Academy of Hidden Air. And Aozora is a Hunter-nin. They were all trained by your mother. Say Hello".
"Konnicha wa, Ojisan Genrei, Ojisan Tsuki, Ojisan Aozora" Naruto said.
Konnicha wa, Oichan" the three chorused. Jiraiya moved to Byakko's brothers, who interrupted his introductions of them.
"There is no need, Jiraiya" Fokkusu said. "Konnicha wa, Oichan . . . I am Imahitotsu Fokkusu, your Hakufu. . I am a retired Anbu Squad Leader. I trained your mother".
"I am Imhitotus Iduzna, your Hakufu. I am a retired Teacher at the Academy. I also trained your mother" Idunza said.
"I am Imahitotsu Kitsune, your Hakufu. I am the leader of the Hunter- nins. You may call me Kit" Kitsune said, smiling.
"I am Imahitotsu Gingitsune, your Hakufu. I am an Anbu Squad Leader. You may call me Gin" Gingitsune said. Naruto gave each one of his great- uncles a shy smile.
"Konnicha wa" Naruto said. Jiraiya set him down, everyone noticed that Naruto was more at ease with his newly acquired family then before. Ai clapped her hands.
"Supper is waiting" Ai said. "Come along everyone it is time to each". She offered her hand to her grandson, who accepted it and followed behind her. Byakko couldn't help but smile at his wife. One minute she was angry the next doting. He noticed Jiraiya's wary glance.
"Is something wrong, Jiraiya-san?" Byakko inquired to the Sennin. Jiraiya looked to the silver-white haired Shinobi and nodded.
"Your daughter had the same personality as your wife" said Jiraiya. "I trained her husband, Arashi. I was like a father to Arashi, seeing how his had died before his birth. So, I stayed quite alot at Uzumaki Estates. Aya was like that when ever she caught me doing something I wasn't supposed to. She was always like that". Byakko laughed and nodded. That was his daughter, she had the personality as her mother. Which Byakko didn't know if it was a curse or a blessing.
The group entered the home. Everyone sat around the table; Byakko was at the head of the table, his wife on his left side, with his young grandson beside her. Asahi and his brothers were seated on their father's right side while Byakko's younger brothers and Jiraiya occupied the rest of the table on both sides. Naruto did not like how is Sensei was so far away from him. He knew he should feel safe with his grandparents but he could not help but feel slightly frightened. Ai, as if sensing her grandson's distress, did a quick move around of the people at the table. Jiraiya was now sitting on her grandson's side. The meal commenced. Conversation was passed around the table about many different things. Naruto looked at his grandfather and great-uncles. He bit his lip wondering if he should ask the question that was burning in his mind or not. "Is something the matter, dear?" Ai inquired.
"Anou . . . Ojiisan?" Naruto began, timidly. "I was wondering . . . Why is that you and my great-uncles have the names of Foxes?" Everyone looked at the small teenager, who immediately shied to Jiraiya.
"I take it you do not know then" Byakko said.
"Know what?" Naruto countered. He looked at Jiraiya, who looked equally confused as to what Byakko was implying. The Clan looked at their youngest Clanling and his teacher in disbelieve.
"Ayame never told you?" Byakko inquired. Naruto looked at his hands, somewhat sadly.
"I never knew Mama" Naruto replied. "When I was just a baby, she and Papa died protecting Hidden Leaf". He looked up at his grandparents. "I don't know anything about my heritage from Mama, mainly because I didn't believe I had any". Ai wrapped her arms around Naruto, hugging him. She looked up Jiraiya.
"I know only a limited amount about your family" Jiraiya replied. "The only one that knew the most about your daughter was Arashi. And my knowledge of the Uzumaki family isn't that well either. And from what I do know, Naruto also knows". Byakko nodded.
"Ayame was always a secretive child" Byakko replied. "But I can not believe that Ayame's husband had not told you of his own family heritage?"
"The Uzumaki Clan was a secret one. They were the eldest Clan of the Hidden Leaf" Jiraiya replied. "Nearly all of the Hokages are of that Family, seeing how it was the Shodaime, Uzumaki Aokusa, that founded Our Village". Jiraiya sighed and looked at his young pupil. "The Nidaime is Naruto's paternal great-grandfather and the Yondaime was Naruto's father. So, it won't be much of a surprise when Naruto becomes the Rokudaime Hokage. Afterall, it's his bloodline".
"Very well, we will teach you both sides of your Heritage" Byakko replied. "Ginrei and Asahi was with your mother when she was on her assignment in Hidden Leaf. They know quite a bit about your Father's family, and I will train you about this side of your Heritage. You are afterall the child of my eldest, and with her passing, you have already acquire the title of Heir". Naruto nodded. "Very well, on to your question about why my brothers and I bear the name of Foxes. We of the Imahitotsu Clan bear a significant other, a supernatural other. They are our guides from the time we are of age til the day we die and we become one". Byakko looked to the side where, five great Foxes appeared. Naruto and Jiraiya gazed at them in shocked. They were silver in color and had amber eyes. Strange and unique marks adorn each of them. But what attracted Naruto and Jiraiya's attention was that fact that they had nine-tails. Jiraiya grabbed his pupil and was up and away from the table. "Jiraiya-San?"
"Ninetails" Jiraiya said.
"Yes, they are Fox Spirits" Byakko replied. He couldn't help but noticed that man looked a little fearful of the seemingly harmless spirit Foxes. "These are mine and my sons' guides". The five approached Jiraiya and Naruto, causing the Sennin to back away. Jiraiya placed himself between the foxes and his pupil. "Is something wrong, Jiraiya-san? You look a bit pale"
"Fourteen years ago, a Ninetail Fox demon attacked Hidden Leaf" Jiraiya explained. "I am sorry if I offend your guides but even after fourteen years the event is still fresh within my memory".
"A Ninetail fox demon?" spoke Aozora. "That is impossible, the Ninetails are spirits . . . guardian dieties that protect our clan. They would not harm anybody unless one was trying to harm those of our clan".
"Well, it is true" Jiraiya replied. "I was there fourteen years ago. I saw Arashi give up his life to stop the rampage caused by Kyuubi, who not only took several Leaf-nins' lives but the life of his wife, Ayame". Jiraiya looked at his pupil, who rubbed at his stomach and watched the great foxes a bit warily. "Naruto is the vessel that contains the Kyuubi. His father sealed it within him the day after he was born". Byakko snapped his fingers, the foxes backed away until they sat near the furtherest wall.
"Magomusuke, come here" Byakko called. Slowly, Naruto walked to his grandfather, his eyes still on the Foxes. Byakko reached out and grasped his grandson's hand pulled up the boy's shirt. A black seal bearing all five elements glowed red upon his stomach. Byakko closed his eyes and opened them. Jiraiya saw silver eyes glowing.
"Ginmegan" Jiraiya whispered.
Byakko pulled away, his eyes returning to their normal silver-blue. "It would appear Jiraiya-san, that you are mistaken about the ninetails within Naruto" Byakko replied. "It is not a demon, rather a protective Fox deity that once was my daughter's, Kohakurio. I am sorry, Child". Naruto looked at his seal.
"So, it's not a demon?" Naruto said, softly. Byakko shook his head, Naruto turned around to Jiraiya, smiling. "Did ya hear that, Sensei. I'm not a demon!" Jiraiya nodded and smiled as Naruto glomped onto his grandfather. The other members of his family were rather confused.
"The people of village view Naruto not as a human vessel but rather as the 'demon'" Jiraiya explained. "It's one of the reasons he is currently with me and not his former Gennin Team. There are people in Leaf that do not see Naruto as the demon. I am but one of the few. There others are Godaime Hokage, Umino Iruka . . . and Hatake Kakashi".
"Well, why don't we finish Supper and then start a little of Naruto's training" Ginrei commented. Everyone added their agreements, the meal re- commenced.
An hour or so later, Naruto was before his grandfather and two of his uncles. They were knelt before him as Naruto was kneeling before them. "Now, Naruto" Byakko began. "Before we begin, we must awake your sleeping other, your guide" Byakko moved forward until their knees were touching. He reached out and grasped Naruto's face. His hands cupping the chubby cheeks. "I want you to relax, just relax". Naruto felt Chakra fill the air and was beginning to become frightened when a soothing touch caressed against him. Naruto closed his eyes and relaxed. His summoning was unlike any that the Imahitotsu had ever witnessed. His hair lenghtened and lightened to a silver blonde. Marks like his grandfather but silver in color and unique only to him appeared upon his brow and under his eyes. At his side, a fox materialized bearing all nine-tails and already a pure silver color. Naruto began to thin out and became leaner and thiner. He opened his eyes to reveal not the traditional Blue-silver of his family but a blue-violet- silver color. Byakko removed his hands, gazing in shock at his grandson. Naruto blinked his eyes and gazed up at his grandfather.
"Kahakurio is gone" Naruto replied. "But he left something with Inari and myself".
"And what did he leave you, Child?" Byakko inquired.
"His power, his memories . . . everything" Naruto replied. "It is almost as if he became Inari and I". Genrei and Asahi looked to the fox sitting at Naruto's side. Being newly summoned, it should have been an infant. But the Fox was an adult and already wise, Naruto looked at Inari and smiled. His silver marks vanished. "Anou, Ojiisan . . . what happened to my hair?"
"And your eyes" Ginrei commented. "Otousan, what has happened?"
"Something that has not happened in over ten generations" Byakko replied. "Naruto, tell me, how do your eyes feel?"
"Fine" Naruto replied. Byakko nodded.
"Alright, I want you to close your eyes . . . And try and bring forth the dormant power of your blood" said Byakko. Naruto closed his eyes and concentrated. The three could feel the powerful Chakra in the air, immediately they switched to their Ginmegan. The Chakra was unimaginable. Before, Naruto's Chakra aura had been a deep and vibrant blue with passing shades of violet. Now, it was a pure ivory white. Naruto's eyes opened, revealing not the silverish grey like his relatives but a pure undiluted silver. "Unbelievable" Byakko said. "Never in my long years had I seen such a sight".
"Otousan, what is it?" Asahi questioned.
"Pure Ginmegan" Byakko said. "Pure Silver Eyes. No one before Naruto save for the founder of our Clan has ever had such eyes. Naruto, tell what do you see?"
"Everything" Naruto said, in wonder. He looked at his grandfather, he could see their Chakra auras as plain as day. But it wasn't just their Chakra auras, it was Chakra auras of everything. Of the Earth, of the Hidden air Shinobi, everything. "Unbelievable".
"Naruto, I want you to sit there and watch your Uncles" Byakko replied. "No acting, just sit and watch. Boys, I want you to go through every Jutsu, you know from Basic to Advance". Byakko shifted until he sat at his grandson side. Together they watched. They watched as Asahi preformed Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, and more. They watched Ginrei preform not only what his brother preformed but many others, Medic Jutsus as well as summoning Jutsu were preformed. The two preformed Air, Grass, Stone, Sand, Water and Leaf Jutsus as well as several forbidden Jutsus. The Moon had risen to its highest peak by the time Asahi and Ginrei had finished. They collapsed to the ground panting in exhaustion. Naruto looked to his grandfather. "Tomorrow, you will preform each and every one Jutsu shown to you".
"Hai!" Naruto bowed to his grandfather and to his Uncles. "Oyasumi nasai, Ojiisan . . .Ojisan Genrei . . .Ojisan Asahi". Naruto stood and exited the dojo, heading towards his room. Inari at his heels.
"Otousan, you can't be serious about Naruto preforming every Jutsu we just shown" Asahi said, sitting up. "It took us years to prefect the Sharingan aspect of our eyes. And what was that about seeing everything, Byukagan aspect should be dormant until earlier adult hood".
"No, not with Naruto's Ginmegan" Byakko replied. "His eyes are the Highest of the Ginmegan. They are the Juginmegan, he naturally accesses the Sharingan and Byukagan aspects of his eyes. Rest my sons, we have a long day a head of us tomorrow".
As Naruto and Jiraiya stayed in Hidden Air, the days soon turned into weeks which turned into Months which had turned into a year. Naruto was growing like wildfire, his previous undormant abilities were surfacing at a faster rate then anything his relatives had seen. Jiraiya and Ai were just bursting with pride for Naruto, they never let down a chance to praise him. Byakko and his sons noticed that Jiraiya's praise followed by his grandmother's not only made Naruto flush in embaressment but raised his confidance in his own abilities. It had been one year since Jiraiya and Naruto first came to stay and live at the Imahitotsu Clan House. It was then that Byakko and his family learned that many things had happened to Naruto before ever arriving at their home.
Naruto curled up onto his bed, Inari sleeping at his bedside. The Fox and Naruto were an inseparable pair; wherever one went, the other was sure to go. Naruto's room was stragetically placed in the middle of his Grandparents, Uncles and Jiraiya's room. Naruto rolled over, whimpering. His mind filling with a nightmare . . . A Nightmare of a broken trust, of pain. "No . . . Please" Naruto whimpered. He struggled as if he was trying to free himself from someone. Inari woke on his partner's whimpering. His head raised and looked at the child laying in the bed. Inari sat up and reached out, only to have Naruto bolt up screaming. His screams woke his relatives and Jiraiya. Light flooded Naruto's room as Byakko and his sons entered, weapons drawn. Naruto was curled into Inari, crying. Ai moved past her husband and sons.
"Naruto?" Ai questioned. She reached out to touch her grandson, only to have pull away crying out in fear. His eyes were searching out for somebody. Jiraiya stepped forward and made his way toward his pupil. He slowly reached out, Naruto flung himself at his sensei. His face was buried in Jiraiya's shoulders and he began to cry.
"It's alright" Jiraiya said, soothingly. "It was only a nightmare, you're perfectedly safe. We're here . . . Ssh". Jiraiy gathered the sixteen- year-old into his arms, hugging the blonde close to his body. Naruto sniffed and wiped away his tears, he looked to his concerned relatives. He reached for his grandmother, obiviously wanting her. Ai moved in and gathered Naruto into his arms. She sat on the bed, her grandson on her lap. Inari nuzzled the boy's head, whinning. Jiraiya felt Byakko and his sons' eyes on him. "Naruto?"
"They should know, Jiraiya-Sensei" Naruto said. "They are my family, afterall".
"A year and a half ago, before we arrived in Air country, we were in Grass country" Jiraiya explained. "We were visiting an old friend of mine in that country. She was a very well known healer. One night, she and I had left Naruto at her estates with her family, feeling nothing could happen. How wrong we were. That night, my friend's family was murdered and Naruto taken."
"Who was your friend?" Ginrei questioned.
"Kusaba Usagi" Jiraiya replied.
"Kusaba? Isn't that the name of the leading family in Grass?" Aozora replied.
"It was" Jiraiya replied. "No one escaped the massacre, not even Usagi's own children".
"Who was it?" Ai exclaimed, horrified. Jiraiya looked at his hands, a sad look passing over his face.
"A man that I once called friend, Orochimaru" Jiraiya replied. "He massacred the Kusaba clan, kidnapped Naruto and vanished into the night. Usagi and I searched frantically for Naruto, Grass-nins were helping and so were a group of Leaf Anbu. But the search was proving to be fruitless. That was when it happened. Orochimaru attacked again, this time fatally wounding Usagi, but she never told me until it was to late. We headed out after Orochimaru and found him with Naruto. The sight was unbearable."
"Jiraiya?"
"Blood covered the walls and in the middle of it was a near dead Naruto. It would appear that Orochimaru had beaten Naruto to near death. And as to why, only Naruto would know" Jiraiya managed out. He looked at Naruto, who was huddled into his grandmother's arms. "I'm sorry, I can't". Jiraiya buried his face into his hands. Byakko could understand Jiraiya's pain about being unable to protect someone dearest to you. He rested a hand on Jiraiya's shoulder.
"It is all right, my friend" Byakko replied. "Since, it is morning why do we not go and have breakfast". He turned and lifted his grandson up off his wife and into his arms. Naruto curled close to his grandfather, and buried his face into his neck clearly not wanting to meet the faces of his uncles. "It is alright, Little One, you are perfectedly safe". Byakko rubbed Naruto's back. "Now, my Little One, what would you like for breakfast?" Byakko left the room, leaving Jiraiya with his wife and sons.
"Jiraiya-San?" Aozora questioned. He touched the Frog Hermit's shoulder, causing the distress man to look at him. "Come, you will feel better with food in you". Aozora grasped one of the man's arms and helped him up, and with Tsuki's aid, lead him out of the room. Ai and Ginrei followed closely behind, clearly meaning to help if anything happened.
"And shortly after that, Naruto and I decided to journey back home for the Jonin Exams" Jiraiya replied.
Tsunade sat back, letting the Frog Hermit's story settle in her mind. "You've changed, Jiraiya" Tsunade replied. The white-haired man looked to the Hokage, clearly not understand what she had meant. "Well, something about you has changed, it's as though you've opened your heart once again". Jiraiya stood and walked to the window and surveyed the Village, his back to his former teammate. The two were silent for several minutes. "Jiraiya?"
"Being with that boy . . . it was almost as if Arashi and Ayame were alive again" Jiraiya replied. "But something was very different about Naruto then with his parents. He far too innocent and still hurting from what happened to him. How could I not open my heart, Tsunade?"
"I don't know. I often wonder that myself" Tsunade replied. "Even after I swore to close off my heart after what happened to me; I did, for many years. Than long comes Naruto, so innocent yet so determined and I found myself opening my heart just for him". Jiraiya nodded and looked at his friend.
"His grandparents wanted him to stay in Hidden Air" Jiraiya replied. "But Naruto refused, saying that his heart belong to Hidden Leaf even though his home was in Hidden Air. He had people waiting back in Hidden Leaf that were hoping that he would return. He told them about you and Iruka, about his Obasan and Aniki. And so, we returned". Jiraiya turned to Tsunade, a smile on his face. "I better get going, I did promise Naruto that he could see Iruka as soon as he got back. Later".
Jiraiya disappeared into a poof of smoke, leaving Tsunade to wonder about everything and anything.
TBC
Author's Disclaimer : This is my First Naruto Fanfiction so go easy on me, Thanks!.
Child of Two Worlds
By: Remmie Lupin-Black
Chapter One: The Truth of Uzumaki Naruto
Blue eyes gazed forlornly at the village that lay beneath. Blue eyes turned away and gazed upwards, staring at the star speckled sky. The warm night breeze ruffled short unruly blonde hair. A small hand reached up and brushed away stray bangs and continued to stare up at the sky. The sky had always been friendly and opening, it never judge him for what he was or what he did. The sky, as lame as it sounds, had been his only friend. Legs were drawn closely to his chest, his arms locked around them. Tears blurred his vision, he blinked, causing the tears to slide down his cheeks. He turned away from the sky and buried his face into his knees, crying.
At long last, he thought he had found people that cared for him. People he could trust beside the ever constant Umino Iruka, Tsunade and Jiraiya. How wrong he had been, they didn't care about him nor did they want him. That had been made very clear to him after the second failed Chunnin exams; Orochimaru had interrupted in the first and now Itachi had interrupted the second. It was then that his supposed Sensei had split the team up, again. He, Hatake Kakashi, had taken the Village's number rookiee, Uchiha Sasuke, to train. Haruno Sakura had been placed with the Special Jonin Mitarashi Anko. He had been drafted, again, to a closet pervert, Ebisu, who hated him as much as everyone else. Tear-stained blue eyes looked at the Village, forlornly. A twig snapped behind him. He was up in a flash, staring at the figure that emerged from the shadows. It was Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage.
"I thought I'd find you here, Naruto" Tsunade said. Uzumaki Naruto looked down, not wanting to face the Sennin. "You caused your teammates and teacher great worry disappearing like that".
"They don't care about me" Naruto whimpered. "They just pretended to care about me". Blue eyes looked up, causing Tsunade's heart to ache. They shone with loneliness, pain and so much guilt. "What did I do wrong? To make people hate me so much?Am I a bad person cause I carry Kyuubi?" Tsunade walked forward and knelt, she drew the young child into her arms. Naruto threw his arms around the Hokage's neck and buried his face into her shoulder. Tsunade rocked back and forth, attempting to consol the child, who was Hidden Leaf's hero.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Naruto" Tsunade consoled. "It wasn't you". Her hand rubbed circles on the boy's back. Her eyes stared up at the sky, silently cursing everyone. Tsunade pulled back, her hands resting on Naruto's shoulders. "Naruto there's someone here to see you". Out of the darkness, a white-haired man appeared.
"Ero-Sennin" Naruto said. He moved past the Hokage and ran to the white haired Sennin. Jiraiya knelt and gathered his former blonde-haired student into his arms. Naruto held onto Jiraiya as if his life depend on it. Jiraiya glared at the village that caused such a pure-hearted child such pain.
"Come on, Kid" Jiraiya said. "You and me are leaving. We're gonna go travelling again". Jiraiya looked at his pupil. Naruto nodded, but still clung to the Frog Hermit. "We'd better get going. We still need to pack your things". Jiraiya turned to his former teammate and fellow Sennin. "We'll be leaving at dawn's first light tomorrow. See ya around, Tsunade".
The blonde haired woman watched as Jiraiya walked away carrying his pupil. She sighed and turned to look at the village that looked so innocence in the night light. Tsunade couldn't help but feel hatred towards everyone; everyone that pitched in and helped destroyed such a gentle soul. Whether they did it conciously or not. The gentle night wind ruffled Tsunade's hair.
Before the sun had even become to rise, Jiraiya and Naruto walked to the Gate of Hidden Leaf. They were surprised to see Umino Iruka standing there, as if waiting for them. Iruka saw them and smiled, a sad smile. He knelt and caught Naruto into his arms, as the young shinobi had run to him. The two clung to each other. Iruka pulled back and stared into Naruto's blue eyes. "You take care of yourself when you're out there" Iruka said, smiling. He lifted one of his hands and cupped Naruto's cheek. "Remember there are some people here that do love you" Iruka said, smiling. Naruto nodded and hugged Iruka again.
"I love you too" Naruto said. The two pulled back, they stared at each other for a while before Iruka pushed Naruto's Hitai-ate up and pressed a kiss to the boy's forehead. Naruto gave Iruka one last hug. He turned and ran to Jiraiya, he grasped the Sennin's hand but turned to look at Iruka. "I'll write, I promise! I'll see you again, Aniki!" Iruka blinked at the title but smiled and waved goodbye until the doors closed. He sighed and looked up at the sky. The clear blue remind Iruka so much of Naruto's once happy blue eyes. He turned and walked away, his hand stuck into his pockets. His mind repeating Naruto's last words to him. He turned and stared at the large gates, smiling softly.
(I love you, Ototo).
Kakashi and his two pupils burst into the Hokage's office. "Godaime- sama, Naruto's gone!" Sakura wailed. "We searched his home but he wasn't there!"
Tsunade looked up from her work. Her eyes were very cold towards them, she leaned back. "I know Naruto's gone" Tsunade replied. "I also know where and why he has gone. If you'll check the Lists, Kakashi, you will discover that Uzumaki Naruto has been removed from your Team per my instructions".
"What? Why?"
Tsunade stood up, glaring. "Why? After what you did, you have the gall to ask me Why?!" Tsunade shouted. "Get out! NOW!"
"Where's Naruto?" Sasuke interrupted. His dark eyes studying the angry Hokage, warily. Tsunade sat down, closing her eyes and taking several deep breathes to calm herself. She opened her eyes and stared coolly at Team Seven.
"He's left with Jiraiya this morning" Tsunade replied. "He's Jiraiya's pupil now. No concerned to you, any of you".
"He is my concern" Kakashi protested. "He was my pupil for two years and you want me to stop being concerned for him? Hokage -Sama, you know who that Boy is and you want me to stop being concerned?" Tsunade looked at Sakura and Sasuke.
"Leave, this matter is no longer your concern". Sasuke and Sakura bowed and left the two alone as they exited the office. Sasuke threw a look over his shoulder before the doors closed behind them, cutting them away from the conversation. Tsunade folded her hands together and rested her chin on them. "I know who Naruto really is, so does Jiraiya . . . But you made it quite clear to us after you spilt your team up that you no longer cared. Nor did you want Naruto on your team".
"I split the team up because I thought they could learn something from different people" Kakashi said. "Sasuke stayed with me, yes, because he wanted to Master the Sharingan. After that I would have handed him to someone with the experience of helping him with his curse seal. I can only do so much, Tsunade. I thought that if I placed Naruto in Ebisu's tutelage then maybe he would find Jiraiya again. Seems my plan worked a little too well". Kakashi rubbed his good eye and rested his hands on his hips. "I messed up, badly".
"Yes, you did" Tsunade replied. "You have a fourteen-year-old out there believing that no one loves him, Iruka and Myself and Jiraiya excluded. Kakashi, what on earth possessed you to split the team up?" Kakashi crossed his arms and stared out the window. "Kakashi?"
"I was hoping that Naruto would be able to access his Advance Bloodline" Kakashi replied. Tsunade raised an eyebrow, she was frowning, she had hoped that it was the same bloodline that she was thinking of. "It was inherited from his mother". Tsunade inwardly sighed, thankful; but she was curious of this new bloodline.
"What is it?" Tsunade inquired.
Kakashi walked away from the Hokage and stared out the window. "How much do you know of the Yondaime's wife?" Kakashi countered.
"Not much, I never really met the woman" Tsunade replied. "But from what I remember hearing she was a remarkable woman, a perfect match to Yondaime". Tsunade looked at the supposedly lazy Jonin. "Why do you ask?"
"Naruto's mother was Imahitotsu Ayame of the Hidden Air Shinobi" Kakashi replied. "She was the Heir Apparent to the Imahitotsu Clan in that Village and blessed with their Advanced Bloodline. She was quite the remarkable woman. If you thought I was bad at being a Genius at Jutsus, she was ten times worst". Kakashi looked out the window. "By the time Ayame-San was ten, she was already a Anbu Squad Leader. Everyone thought she would become the next Leader of Hidden Air, that was until she met up with Yondaime when she was working an assignment here in Hidden Leaf. She never returned to her home in Hidden Air, but stayed here and married. She became Uzumaki Ayame". Kakashi turned and looked at Tsunade, his good eye was sharp and narrow. "One would never believe that someone as sweet and gentle as Ayame-San was such a deadly killer nor the heir to such a powerful Bloodline".
"Where are getting at, Kakashi?" Tsunade inquired, getting impatient.
"Have you ever heard of the Ginmegan?" Kakashi inquired.
"The Legendary Silver Eyes? Of course, who hasn't heard the stories?" Tsunade returned. Kakashi turned and looked out the window. "The Legends say that the Sharingan and Byukagan are lesser eyes compared to such the Ginmegan and it is rumored that the Sharingan and Byukagan Bloodlines are from that Bloodline. Kakashi, what are you saying?"
"The Silver Eyes aren't just a legend" Kakashi replied. "Ayame-San was the Heir Apparent before her death to that Bloodline, only her Clan possess the ability to reproduce to the Silver Eyes. It's easy to sense after meeting someone bearing the eyes. Godaime, I felt the ability within him, with in Naruto. A greater ability then when I felt Ayame-San's ability. I believe when Naruto becomes older he won't just possess the ability, it will manifest to become his natural eyes."
"You mean like what the Sharingan did toUchiha Itachi's eyes?" Tsunade stated.
"Something like that" Kakashi replied. "But We'll never know with Naruto out travelling with Jiraiya-Sama".
Tsunade shook her head and rested it against her hands. "I'll be leaving now, Hokage-sama" Kakashi said, bowing. He left the Fifth Hokage to her own wonderings, all the while pondering over what he had done that caused the departure of Naruto.
Three Years Later . . . .
Three figures were running through the forest of Konoha, towards the Village. One was the Legendary Frog Hermit, Jiraiya. He had not changed much in the last three years since the Village had last saw him. Save for the fact that his Perverted Habits had curved somewhat. The second figure was Uzumaki Naruto. He had changed a great deal in his years away from the village. He had grown, not much but it was enough for him. He was slimer and leaner built, his once sunshine hair had lightened until was a silver-blonde. Once unruly, it had tamed out and was tied into a braid. His sky blue eyes were changed into a Blue-Violet-Silver color. At His side, ran a great silver Fox that bore nine-tails and a strange markings upon its forehead and underneath its eyes. "Not much farther now, Naruto" Jiraiya commented. The blonde nodded and flipped over a fallen branch. Landing with expert ease beside the Fox, who dodged a fallen branch and moved underneath Naruto, allowing the Blonde to rest upon its back. "Oi, No fair" Jiraiya commented. "No helping, Fox!" Amber eyes looked at Jiraiya, the Fox took off running. Leaving Jiraiya behind him. "HEY! DAMN FOX!!!"
Naruto bent low on the Fox's back, allowing the Fox to reach unimaginable speed; they ran through the forest almost a blur to an untrained eye. Naruto spotted the Gates to the Village of the Hidden Leaf before them. "The Gates are before us" Naruto whispered. "Sensei should be coming". The Fox nodded and burst into a faster speed. "Think you can jump it?" The Fox gave him a look as if to say 'You're Kidding, right?' "Silly me, I forgot" Naruto said. The Fox hit the clearing at super-human speeds. Naruto could hear the shouts of the Guards of the Gate, he couldn't help but smile. His Fox took a leap and landed half way there before taking another jump, this one clearing the top and landing on the other side. They came to a slidding halt. Naruto sat up and looked up at the Gate Guards' shocked faces. He climbed off the fox, who nuzzled his leg. Naruto turned and lavished affection on the strange beast. "You Brat!" came a shout.
"You made it, Sensei" Naruto said in his quiet way. He gave a smile at the white haired Sennin. "You almost beat us". Jiraiya glared at his pupil, who smiled at his teacher. "Should we not check in with Godaime- Sama, Sensei?"
"I suppose so" Jiraiya sighed. "Come on, let's go. And no riding that damnable Fox! I mean it".
"I suppose so" Naruto said. He moved in behind Jiraiya; the fox at his side, who was busily glaring at Jiraiya. "Be polite, he is my sensei" Naruto admonished the Fox. Amber eyes gave its human companion a reproachful look. "We will go riding tonight, Promise". The Fox yipped and danced around Naruto, causing the Blonde to stop and laugh at its animal companion. Jiraiya stopped and looked at his pupil, who was now kneeling and lavishing affection on the Fox. It was good to see that Twinkle in the Boy's eyes. It remind Jiraiya of the boy's father, Uzumaki Arashi or better known as the Yondaime Hokage.
"Naruto, come on" Jiraiya ordered. "I don't want Tsunade coming after my blood".
"I doubt Obasan will do that, Jiraiya-Sensei" Naruto said, standing. "But you are right, we do need to report into Obasan". Naruto moved to Jiraiya's side, the fox moving up to the teenager's side. "After reporting into Obasan, can we see Aniki?" Jiraiya nodded, smiling at his pupil. Naruto looked to his Fox. "You can finally met my Aniki, Inari".
Jiraiya made to tell Naruto to stop talking to his Fox companion but decided against it. People all the time talk to animals, what made any difference if Naruto talked to Inari. Oh, one thing. The Bloody thing talked back to Naruto. Him too, when he wanted to listen to the bloody Fox. Jiraiya wove his way through the streets of Hidden Leaf. Not that it was hard, considering many people were parting because of Naruto and Inari, in wonder and curiousity. Jiraiya felt Naruto's small hand take his and he move into his Sensei. Jiraiya moved an arm around the boy's slender shoulders, he gave Naruto a reassuring squeeze. Inari growled at several people causing them to back away. Jiraiya grabbed the Fox by the scruff, ignoring the warning growl. Together, the trio disappeared in a pouf of smoke.
Tsunade jumped in surprisement as a pair of arms wrapped around her neck. "Obasan" said a familiar voice. Tsunade turned around and gapped at the sight before her. Naruto stood there, smiling; he stood to her chin, dressed in all black save for her necklance hanging and his hitai-ate around his neck. He had grown beautifully. "Konnicha wa, Obasan". Tsunade smiled and hugged the small teenager to her.
"Let 'em breathe, Tsunade" came Jiraiya's voice. Tsunade looked up see her former teammate and fellow Sennin. But it was the Silver Fox that got her attention. It sat at Jiraiya's side as if it belonged there. It may a sound and turned to Naruto, who moved away.
"Obasan, allow me to introduce Inari" Naruto said. "He's my Guide . . . Inari allow me to introduce the Fifth Hokage, Uzumaki Tsunade". Tsunade was surprised that Naruto knew her true name. But she was even more surprised to see the fox dip it's head in a sort of bow. Tsunade felt that she return for some strange reason and she did so. Naruto smiled and walked over to Inari and knelt wrapping his arms around the Fox's neck and nuzzled closer to him.
"Jiraiya, what is that Fox?" Tsunade whispered as she dragged the Hermit away from Naruto and Inari. She gave the white-haired man a stern look, who relented. He turned to Naruto, who sat on the floor watching them.
"Oi, Kid . . . Why don't you take Inari and head to Uzumaki Estates?" Jiraiya ordered. "You know the way, right?"
"Hai, Can I visit Aniki?" Naruto inquired. "I will take Inari with me, Promise".
"No, wait til I get back to the estates" Jiraiya replied, sternly. "Inari, make sure that he isn't hurt or I'll have your Tails, understood". The Fox gave Jiraiya a dirty look before following Naruto out. Jiraiya turned to his female companion. "Do not look at me like that, Tsunade". Tsunade glared at the perverted Frog Hermit. "Alright, Kami's sake, back off will ya". Tsunade walked away and sat at her desk and gave him a pointed look. "The Fox is Inari, a ninetails".
"A Ninetails?"
"Yeah, he was present to Naruto when he succeeded his mother's position as Heir" Jiraiya replied. "You know we all thought that Arashi chose Naruto because that he was the best chance the village had. I can't believe how wrong we were" Jiraiya sat down in one of chairs, his eyes trained on the floor. "All this time, He was hiding the truth from us, Tsunade . . . From everyone".
"Truth?"
"The truth about his wife's clan" Jiraiya replied. "The Hidden Air Clan, Imahitotsu. The Heir to the Legendary Silver Eyes and Children of two worlds". Tsunade looked at him strangely. "Each, and I mean each, Person of the Clan possess a supernatural other . . . And believe it or not, but their supernatural others are Fox Deities. We were so wrong about Kyuubi all those years ago. He wasn't trying to hurt us . . . He was trying to prevent an assassination from occuring. An assassination that would have claimed the lives of Arashi and his family. Not like it would have helped".
"Jiraiya, start from the beginning" Tsunade ordered.
"It started a Two years ago . . . Naruto and I had just arrived in Air Country . . . ."
Naruto followed behind his Sensei as he stared in wonder at the Air country. It was so different from the Humid warmth of his Home in the South, here it was cold and snow lay in abundance. He and Jiraiya had been travelling for a year, never staying the same spot for few weeks, not that it mattered away. Naruto liked travelling. He liked being with Jiraiya, who had become a psuedo-father in the year. Especially since he tried to curve his perverted habits when he was around. A guess it was the aftermath of what happened two months ago, Naruto unconciously shivered. Naruto stopped as something headed his way, he dodged and landed crouched a few feet away. He looked, warily, at Jiraiya who held a ball of snow. "Sensei, what are you doing?" Naruto inquired.
"Starting a snowball fight" Jiraiya replied. Naruto tilted his head sideways, confused. "You never had a snowball fight?" Naruto shook his head, Jiraiya walked over and crouched down and began to explain what a snowball fight was.
"Oh! I get it!"Naruto exclaimed. He scooped up some snow and packed it into a ball, and threw it at Jiraiya, planting it in his face. Naruto laughed and ran away, dodging Jiraiya. Little did he know that it was Jiraiya's way of getting him to forget what happened. The two continued their game, they were so wrapped up that they didn't sense the group of Shinobi approaching them. Naruto bumped into someone, he turned and gazed up into the face of an masked Shinobi. He backed away, until he was beside Jiraiya. The Blonde hid behind his tall Sensei, his small hands gripping his Sensei's right arm. Jiraiya glared at the group, not pleased with their intrusion.
"Can we help you?" Jiraiya inquired. He would be ready to fight if the Shinobi proved to be a threat, but he could be hinder by Naruto's now timid nature. Jiraiya pushed that out of his mind. Naruto was never a hinderance.
"Why are you trepassing on these grounds?" demanded the lead Shinobi.
"What grounds?" Jiraiya questioned, not liking where this was headed. Naruto gave a frightened yelp as he was pulled away from his Sensei and pinned against a stronger body. Jiraiya turned around and snarled at the Shinobi that held the frightened Naruto. "Let him go!" Jiraiya made to attack was dealt with, he was planted face first into the snow, a shinobi sitting on his back. Jiraiya struggled but the Shinobi held fast.
"NO! Leave him alone!" Naruto cried. "SENSEI!" He struggled against his captor, trying to free himself and attempt to help his Sensei. "Lemme go!" The Shinobi tightened his grip. Images flooded Naruto's memory and he screamed in fear. Jiraiya's head snapped up and he promptly threw the Shinobi off him and quickly moved to Naruto. His punch connected with the Naruto's captor's face. Jiraiya was on his knees, his arms around Naruto's shivering body. The Blonde clung to Jiraiya, his face peeking out of his sensei's shoulder in fear of the Shinobi. Jiraiya stood, his arms around Naruto protectively. He glared at the Shinobi.
"Halt!" came a commanding voice. Everyone turned to see an aged Shinobi appear, strange markings around his face. "What is the meaning of this? Asahi, answer me!"
"They are intruders, Otousan!" replied the Lead shinobi.
"Intruders, Bah!" replied the elder. "Can you not see that they of the Leaf. If I am going blind in my old age, the white haired one is Jiraiya, the Frog Hermit. One of the Legendary Sennin of the Hidden Leaf Village. From your sister's adopted Village". The Shinobi had the graced to looked ashamed. Jiraiya looked at the Elder Shinobi.
"You are from Hidden Air?" Jiraiya questioned.
"We are, forgive my son" said the Shinobi. "We had many attacks on our home that we have become suspicious of everyone. I am Imahitotsu Byakko, Leader of the Imahitotsu Clan. May I inquire who the boy is?"
Jiraiya looked at the frighten child in his arms and looked at Byakko. He knelt and released Naruto from his arms. "It's alright, Naruto" Jiraiya said, gently. "You have no reason to fear, he isn't here. Come it's alright, you safe, I'm right here". Slowly Naruto released his sensei, he peeked over his shoulder at Byakko. Jiraiya stood and placed his hands on Naruto's shoulders and turned his around. Byakko's eyes widened. "Allow me to introduce my pupil, Uzumaki-Imahitotsu Naruto, son of Uzumaki Arashi and Uzumaki-Imahitotsu Ayame". The Shinobi gasped and gazed in wonder at the Blonde. Byakko walked forward, Asahi behind him. The Leader of the Imahitotsu Clan knelt and gazed at the child.
"Is it really Ayame's child?" Byakko inquired, daring to believe. Jiraiya nodded, he gave Naruto a little nudge forward. The Blonde looked at the man timidly. "Child, do you know who I am?" Naruto shook his head no. "Imahitotsu Byakko, father of Uzumaki-Imahitotsu Ayame". Realisation started to dawn in Naruto's eyes. He moved forward, timidly.
"Ojiisan?"
Byakko nodded and was immediately hugged by Naruto. The elder Shinobi seemed to cling to his long-lost grandchild, tears in his eyes. His Ayame was still alive. He pulled back and stared fondly at Naruto. "You look so much like your mother" Byakko said. Naruto gave a tentive smiled, he looked at Asahi, who knelt.
"Imahitotsu Asahi, younger twin brother of Ayame" Asahi replied.
"Ojisan" Naruto said. He moved to hug Asahi, who pressed a kiss to Naruto's blonde locks. He stood, holding Naruto as if he was a child.
"Come, we must head to the Village" Byakko said, he turned to Naruto, who was quite content in Asahi's arms. "Your grandmother and uncles are going to want to met you". Jiraiya nodded, he moved to Asahi's side and slowly the group moved out.
Imahitotsu Ai stood patiently at the doorway to the main house of the Imahitotsu Clan. On the Deck was her three sons and Four Brother-in-laws. "They are late getting back" commented her second eldest brother-in-law, Fokkusu. He was playing Shogi with his youngest nephew, Aozora. Ai looked to her brother-in-law, not commenting to him. She turned back to her watching.
"Okaasan come and sit" ordered her thrid eldest son, Ginrei. "There is no point in standing there. Otousan and Asahi will be fine, they are the best warriors in the Family". Ai's other sons, Tsuki and Aozora voiced their agreements.
"Best listen, Ai" Iduzna, the second eldest brother-in-law, said. "Byakko would not want you worrying over nothing". Ai sighed and sat down beside Tsuki, who immediately offered up his heavier coat for his mother. He wrapped it around his mother and grasped her hand. The clonging of the Village bell alerted them to the return of Byakko and his group. Ai stood with her sons surrounding her. "Oh, Byakko is going to get . . eh, Kit?"
Kitsune, the second youngest brother-in-law, nodded with the youngest, Gingitsune's agreement. Byakko appeared with Asahi and two strangers. One of the strangers, a child, was being carried by Asahi. Byakko was talking to the white-haired strangers. "Fokkusu, is that not Jiraiya of the Legendary Sennin of Leaf Country?" Gingitsune inquired. His brother nodded. The Four Brothers stood.
Asahi looked up and saw his mother. He immediately ducked behind his Father and peeked out over the elder shinobi's shoulder. Naruto noticed his Uncle's discomfort, he looked around and saw a woman standing with seven men. He could only assume this was the rest of his mother's family. He watched as Ai stalked up to his grandfather and land a nice ringing slap across his face. Naruto flinched and curled into his Uncle for protection. Jiraiya noticed his pupil's fear and placed himself between the woman and Asahi and Naruto. Ai turned to Jiraiya, glaring. "Move" she ordered, coldly. Jiraiya gave her a glare and refused to budge.
"No, Jiraiya-San, it is all right" Asahi said. He moved passed the Sennin, setting Naruto down in front of him. The Blonde clung, frightened to his uncle. Ai looked at the child that gripped Asahi's waist in a death grip. He seemed frightened of her, which was a great surprise to her. Ai made to talk to him but Naruto squeaked and ran to Jiraiya, cling to his teacher. Byakko glared at his wife and went to Naruto's side. He touched the Boy's shoulder causing him to flinch and shifted his position so that his teacher was in between everyone and him. Frighten blue eyes looked up at his grandfather.
Byakko gave Naruto a loving smile and reached out for him. Naruto gave Ai a frighten look but grasped Byakko's hand and allowed him to pull him from behind Jiraiya. Gasps went up in the family. Naruto got a better look at the long-lost family that he had just newly acquired. Each of them, save for Ai, had silver-blonde hair with silver-blue eyes. Well, the younger men did. The elders had silver-white hair. Naruto shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny. Ginrei, Tsuki and Aozora moved forward. Their eyes never leaving the child that looked like a half-replica of their desceased elder sister. "Everyone, allow me to introduce Uzumaki-Imahitotsu Naruto, Ayame's son" Byakko said. He knelt and wrapped one arm around Naruto, who inturn wrapped his arms around his grandfather's neck. "Naruto those three right there are your mother's younger brothers, your uncles. The one on the left is Ginrei, the middle one is Tsuki and the one on the right is Aozora. The woman before us is your grandmother, Ai. And those four are my younger brothers. The one of the left is Fokkusu, the two in the middle are Idunza and Kitsune and the one of the right is Gingitsune".
Naruto looked shyly at his grandmother, uncles and great-uncles. He turned and buried his face into his grandfather's shoulders. "Stop staring" Jiraiya ordered. "You're scaring him". All eyes reverted to Jiraiya, who was standing behind Naruto and Byakko. He glared at them, clearly not liking them for scaring his pupil.
"And why should he be scared of us, his own family?" Ai questioned. Jiraiya ignored her and bent gathering his small pupil into his arms. He moved forward to Ai. She watched him warily. Jiraiya turned Naruto in his arms, so that he wasn't hiding his face anymore.
"Naruto, this is your grandmother, Ai" Jiraiya started with introduction again. "She of the Aoi Clan of Hidden Cloud". Ai raised her eyebrow curious as how Jiraiya knew about her family. "She has your old temperment. Now, why don't you say hello?"
"Konnicha wa, Obaasan" Naruto said, quietly. Ai smiled.
"Konnicha wa, magomusuke" Ai said. Jiraiya moved towards Asahi's brothers, who all smiled at the blonde.
"These are your Uncles. Genrei . . . Tsuki . . . Aozora" Jiraiya said. "Genrei is apart of the Anbu assassin Corps. Tsuki is a Teacher at the Academy of Hidden Air. And Aozora is a Hunter-nin. They were all trained by your mother. Say Hello".
"Konnicha wa, Ojisan Genrei, Ojisan Tsuki, Ojisan Aozora" Naruto said.
Konnicha wa, Oichan" the three chorused. Jiraiya moved to Byakko's brothers, who interrupted his introductions of them.
"There is no need, Jiraiya" Fokkusu said. "Konnicha wa, Oichan . . . I am Imahitotsu Fokkusu, your Hakufu. . I am a retired Anbu Squad Leader. I trained your mother".
"I am Imhitotus Iduzna, your Hakufu. I am a retired Teacher at the Academy. I also trained your mother" Idunza said.
"I am Imahitotsu Kitsune, your Hakufu. I am the leader of the Hunter- nins. You may call me Kit" Kitsune said, smiling.
"I am Imahitotsu Gingitsune, your Hakufu. I am an Anbu Squad Leader. You may call me Gin" Gingitsune said. Naruto gave each one of his great- uncles a shy smile.
"Konnicha wa" Naruto said. Jiraiya set him down, everyone noticed that Naruto was more at ease with his newly acquired family then before. Ai clapped her hands.
"Supper is waiting" Ai said. "Come along everyone it is time to each". She offered her hand to her grandson, who accepted it and followed behind her. Byakko couldn't help but smile at his wife. One minute she was angry the next doting. He noticed Jiraiya's wary glance.
"Is something wrong, Jiraiya-san?" Byakko inquired to the Sennin. Jiraiya looked to the silver-white haired Shinobi and nodded.
"Your daughter had the same personality as your wife" said Jiraiya. "I trained her husband, Arashi. I was like a father to Arashi, seeing how his had died before his birth. So, I stayed quite alot at Uzumaki Estates. Aya was like that when ever she caught me doing something I wasn't supposed to. She was always like that". Byakko laughed and nodded. That was his daughter, she had the personality as her mother. Which Byakko didn't know if it was a curse or a blessing.
The group entered the home. Everyone sat around the table; Byakko was at the head of the table, his wife on his left side, with his young grandson beside her. Asahi and his brothers were seated on their father's right side while Byakko's younger brothers and Jiraiya occupied the rest of the table on both sides. Naruto did not like how is Sensei was so far away from him. He knew he should feel safe with his grandparents but he could not help but feel slightly frightened. Ai, as if sensing her grandson's distress, did a quick move around of the people at the table. Jiraiya was now sitting on her grandson's side. The meal commenced. Conversation was passed around the table about many different things. Naruto looked at his grandfather and great-uncles. He bit his lip wondering if he should ask the question that was burning in his mind or not. "Is something the matter, dear?" Ai inquired.
"Anou . . . Ojiisan?" Naruto began, timidly. "I was wondering . . . Why is that you and my great-uncles have the names of Foxes?" Everyone looked at the small teenager, who immediately shied to Jiraiya.
"I take it you do not know then" Byakko said.
"Know what?" Naruto countered. He looked at Jiraiya, who looked equally confused as to what Byakko was implying. The Clan looked at their youngest Clanling and his teacher in disbelieve.
"Ayame never told you?" Byakko inquired. Naruto looked at his hands, somewhat sadly.
"I never knew Mama" Naruto replied. "When I was just a baby, she and Papa died protecting Hidden Leaf". He looked up at his grandparents. "I don't know anything about my heritage from Mama, mainly because I didn't believe I had any". Ai wrapped her arms around Naruto, hugging him. She looked up Jiraiya.
"I know only a limited amount about your family" Jiraiya replied. "The only one that knew the most about your daughter was Arashi. And my knowledge of the Uzumaki family isn't that well either. And from what I do know, Naruto also knows". Byakko nodded.
"Ayame was always a secretive child" Byakko replied. "But I can not believe that Ayame's husband had not told you of his own family heritage?"
"The Uzumaki Clan was a secret one. They were the eldest Clan of the Hidden Leaf" Jiraiya replied. "Nearly all of the Hokages are of that Family, seeing how it was the Shodaime, Uzumaki Aokusa, that founded Our Village". Jiraiya sighed and looked at his young pupil. "The Nidaime is Naruto's paternal great-grandfather and the Yondaime was Naruto's father. So, it won't be much of a surprise when Naruto becomes the Rokudaime Hokage. Afterall, it's his bloodline".
"Very well, we will teach you both sides of your Heritage" Byakko replied. "Ginrei and Asahi was with your mother when she was on her assignment in Hidden Leaf. They know quite a bit about your Father's family, and I will train you about this side of your Heritage. You are afterall the child of my eldest, and with her passing, you have already acquire the title of Heir". Naruto nodded. "Very well, on to your question about why my brothers and I bear the name of Foxes. We of the Imahitotsu Clan bear a significant other, a supernatural other. They are our guides from the time we are of age til the day we die and we become one". Byakko looked to the side where, five great Foxes appeared. Naruto and Jiraiya gazed at them in shocked. They were silver in color and had amber eyes. Strange and unique marks adorn each of them. But what attracted Naruto and Jiraiya's attention was that fact that they had nine-tails. Jiraiya grabbed his pupil and was up and away from the table. "Jiraiya-San?"
"Ninetails" Jiraiya said.
"Yes, they are Fox Spirits" Byakko replied. He couldn't help but noticed that man looked a little fearful of the seemingly harmless spirit Foxes. "These are mine and my sons' guides". The five approached Jiraiya and Naruto, causing the Sennin to back away. Jiraiya placed himself between the foxes and his pupil. "Is something wrong, Jiraiya-san? You look a bit pale"
"Fourteen years ago, a Ninetail Fox demon attacked Hidden Leaf" Jiraiya explained. "I am sorry if I offend your guides but even after fourteen years the event is still fresh within my memory".
"A Ninetail fox demon?" spoke Aozora. "That is impossible, the Ninetails are spirits . . . guardian dieties that protect our clan. They would not harm anybody unless one was trying to harm those of our clan".
"Well, it is true" Jiraiya replied. "I was there fourteen years ago. I saw Arashi give up his life to stop the rampage caused by Kyuubi, who not only took several Leaf-nins' lives but the life of his wife, Ayame". Jiraiya looked at his pupil, who rubbed at his stomach and watched the great foxes a bit warily. "Naruto is the vessel that contains the Kyuubi. His father sealed it within him the day after he was born". Byakko snapped his fingers, the foxes backed away until they sat near the furtherest wall.
"Magomusuke, come here" Byakko called. Slowly, Naruto walked to his grandfather, his eyes still on the Foxes. Byakko reached out and grasped his grandson's hand pulled up the boy's shirt. A black seal bearing all five elements glowed red upon his stomach. Byakko closed his eyes and opened them. Jiraiya saw silver eyes glowing.
"Ginmegan" Jiraiya whispered.
Byakko pulled away, his eyes returning to their normal silver-blue. "It would appear Jiraiya-san, that you are mistaken about the ninetails within Naruto" Byakko replied. "It is not a demon, rather a protective Fox deity that once was my daughter's, Kohakurio. I am sorry, Child". Naruto looked at his seal.
"So, it's not a demon?" Naruto said, softly. Byakko shook his head, Naruto turned around to Jiraiya, smiling. "Did ya hear that, Sensei. I'm not a demon!" Jiraiya nodded and smiled as Naruto glomped onto his grandfather. The other members of his family were rather confused.
"The people of village view Naruto not as a human vessel but rather as the 'demon'" Jiraiya explained. "It's one of the reasons he is currently with me and not his former Gennin Team. There are people in Leaf that do not see Naruto as the demon. I am but one of the few. There others are Godaime Hokage, Umino Iruka . . . and Hatake Kakashi".
"Well, why don't we finish Supper and then start a little of Naruto's training" Ginrei commented. Everyone added their agreements, the meal re- commenced.
An hour or so later, Naruto was before his grandfather and two of his uncles. They were knelt before him as Naruto was kneeling before them. "Now, Naruto" Byakko began. "Before we begin, we must awake your sleeping other, your guide" Byakko moved forward until their knees were touching. He reached out and grasped Naruto's face. His hands cupping the chubby cheeks. "I want you to relax, just relax". Naruto felt Chakra fill the air and was beginning to become frightened when a soothing touch caressed against him. Naruto closed his eyes and relaxed. His summoning was unlike any that the Imahitotsu had ever witnessed. His hair lenghtened and lightened to a silver blonde. Marks like his grandfather but silver in color and unique only to him appeared upon his brow and under his eyes. At his side, a fox materialized bearing all nine-tails and already a pure silver color. Naruto began to thin out and became leaner and thiner. He opened his eyes to reveal not the traditional Blue-silver of his family but a blue-violet- silver color. Byakko removed his hands, gazing in shock at his grandson. Naruto blinked his eyes and gazed up at his grandfather.
"Kahakurio is gone" Naruto replied. "But he left something with Inari and myself".
"And what did he leave you, Child?" Byakko inquired.
"His power, his memories . . . everything" Naruto replied. "It is almost as if he became Inari and I". Genrei and Asahi looked to the fox sitting at Naruto's side. Being newly summoned, it should have been an infant. But the Fox was an adult and already wise, Naruto looked at Inari and smiled. His silver marks vanished. "Anou, Ojiisan . . . what happened to my hair?"
"And your eyes" Ginrei commented. "Otousan, what has happened?"
"Something that has not happened in over ten generations" Byakko replied. "Naruto, tell me, how do your eyes feel?"
"Fine" Naruto replied. Byakko nodded.
"Alright, I want you to close your eyes . . . And try and bring forth the dormant power of your blood" said Byakko. Naruto closed his eyes and concentrated. The three could feel the powerful Chakra in the air, immediately they switched to their Ginmegan. The Chakra was unimaginable. Before, Naruto's Chakra aura had been a deep and vibrant blue with passing shades of violet. Now, it was a pure ivory white. Naruto's eyes opened, revealing not the silverish grey like his relatives but a pure undiluted silver. "Unbelievable" Byakko said. "Never in my long years had I seen such a sight".
"Otousan, what is it?" Asahi questioned.
"Pure Ginmegan" Byakko said. "Pure Silver Eyes. No one before Naruto save for the founder of our Clan has ever had such eyes. Naruto, tell what do you see?"
"Everything" Naruto said, in wonder. He looked at his grandfather, he could see their Chakra auras as plain as day. But it wasn't just their Chakra auras, it was Chakra auras of everything. Of the Earth, of the Hidden air Shinobi, everything. "Unbelievable".
"Naruto, I want you to sit there and watch your Uncles" Byakko replied. "No acting, just sit and watch. Boys, I want you to go through every Jutsu, you know from Basic to Advance". Byakko shifted until he sat at his grandson side. Together they watched. They watched as Asahi preformed Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, and more. They watched Ginrei preform not only what his brother preformed but many others, Medic Jutsus as well as summoning Jutsu were preformed. The two preformed Air, Grass, Stone, Sand, Water and Leaf Jutsus as well as several forbidden Jutsus. The Moon had risen to its highest peak by the time Asahi and Ginrei had finished. They collapsed to the ground panting in exhaustion. Naruto looked to his grandfather. "Tomorrow, you will preform each and every one Jutsu shown to you".
"Hai!" Naruto bowed to his grandfather and to his Uncles. "Oyasumi nasai, Ojiisan . . .Ojisan Genrei . . .Ojisan Asahi". Naruto stood and exited the dojo, heading towards his room. Inari at his heels.
"Otousan, you can't be serious about Naruto preforming every Jutsu we just shown" Asahi said, sitting up. "It took us years to prefect the Sharingan aspect of our eyes. And what was that about seeing everything, Byukagan aspect should be dormant until earlier adult hood".
"No, not with Naruto's Ginmegan" Byakko replied. "His eyes are the Highest of the Ginmegan. They are the Juginmegan, he naturally accesses the Sharingan and Byukagan aspects of his eyes. Rest my sons, we have a long day a head of us tomorrow".
As Naruto and Jiraiya stayed in Hidden Air, the days soon turned into weeks which turned into Months which had turned into a year. Naruto was growing like wildfire, his previous undormant abilities were surfacing at a faster rate then anything his relatives had seen. Jiraiya and Ai were just bursting with pride for Naruto, they never let down a chance to praise him. Byakko and his sons noticed that Jiraiya's praise followed by his grandmother's not only made Naruto flush in embaressment but raised his confidance in his own abilities. It had been one year since Jiraiya and Naruto first came to stay and live at the Imahitotsu Clan House. It was then that Byakko and his family learned that many things had happened to Naruto before ever arriving at their home.
Naruto curled up onto his bed, Inari sleeping at his bedside. The Fox and Naruto were an inseparable pair; wherever one went, the other was sure to go. Naruto's room was stragetically placed in the middle of his Grandparents, Uncles and Jiraiya's room. Naruto rolled over, whimpering. His mind filling with a nightmare . . . A Nightmare of a broken trust, of pain. "No . . . Please" Naruto whimpered. He struggled as if he was trying to free himself from someone. Inari woke on his partner's whimpering. His head raised and looked at the child laying in the bed. Inari sat up and reached out, only to have Naruto bolt up screaming. His screams woke his relatives and Jiraiya. Light flooded Naruto's room as Byakko and his sons entered, weapons drawn. Naruto was curled into Inari, crying. Ai moved past her husband and sons.
"Naruto?" Ai questioned. She reached out to touch her grandson, only to have pull away crying out in fear. His eyes were searching out for somebody. Jiraiya stepped forward and made his way toward his pupil. He slowly reached out, Naruto flung himself at his sensei. His face was buried in Jiraiya's shoulders and he began to cry.
"It's alright" Jiraiya said, soothingly. "It was only a nightmare, you're perfectedly safe. We're here . . . Ssh". Jiraiy gathered the sixteen- year-old into his arms, hugging the blonde close to his body. Naruto sniffed and wiped away his tears, he looked to his concerned relatives. He reached for his grandmother, obiviously wanting her. Ai moved in and gathered Naruto into his arms. She sat on the bed, her grandson on her lap. Inari nuzzled the boy's head, whinning. Jiraiya felt Byakko and his sons' eyes on him. "Naruto?"
"They should know, Jiraiya-Sensei" Naruto said. "They are my family, afterall".
"A year and a half ago, before we arrived in Air country, we were in Grass country" Jiraiya explained. "We were visiting an old friend of mine in that country. She was a very well known healer. One night, she and I had left Naruto at her estates with her family, feeling nothing could happen. How wrong we were. That night, my friend's family was murdered and Naruto taken."
"Who was your friend?" Ginrei questioned.
"Kusaba Usagi" Jiraiya replied.
"Kusaba? Isn't that the name of the leading family in Grass?" Aozora replied.
"It was" Jiraiya replied. "No one escaped the massacre, not even Usagi's own children".
"Who was it?" Ai exclaimed, horrified. Jiraiya looked at his hands, a sad look passing over his face.
"A man that I once called friend, Orochimaru" Jiraiya replied. "He massacred the Kusaba clan, kidnapped Naruto and vanished into the night. Usagi and I searched frantically for Naruto, Grass-nins were helping and so were a group of Leaf Anbu. But the search was proving to be fruitless. That was when it happened. Orochimaru attacked again, this time fatally wounding Usagi, but she never told me until it was to late. We headed out after Orochimaru and found him with Naruto. The sight was unbearable."
"Jiraiya?"
"Blood covered the walls and in the middle of it was a near dead Naruto. It would appear that Orochimaru had beaten Naruto to near death. And as to why, only Naruto would know" Jiraiya managed out. He looked at Naruto, who was huddled into his grandmother's arms. "I'm sorry, I can't". Jiraiya buried his face into his hands. Byakko could understand Jiraiya's pain about being unable to protect someone dearest to you. He rested a hand on Jiraiya's shoulder.
"It is all right, my friend" Byakko replied. "Since, it is morning why do we not go and have breakfast". He turned and lifted his grandson up off his wife and into his arms. Naruto curled close to his grandfather, and buried his face into his neck clearly not wanting to meet the faces of his uncles. "It is alright, Little One, you are perfectedly safe". Byakko rubbed Naruto's back. "Now, my Little One, what would you like for breakfast?" Byakko left the room, leaving Jiraiya with his wife and sons.
"Jiraiya-San?" Aozora questioned. He touched the Frog Hermit's shoulder, causing the distress man to look at him. "Come, you will feel better with food in you". Aozora grasped one of the man's arms and helped him up, and with Tsuki's aid, lead him out of the room. Ai and Ginrei followed closely behind, clearly meaning to help if anything happened.
"And shortly after that, Naruto and I decided to journey back home for the Jonin Exams" Jiraiya replied.
Tsunade sat back, letting the Frog Hermit's story settle in her mind. "You've changed, Jiraiya" Tsunade replied. The white-haired man looked to the Hokage, clearly not understand what she had meant. "Well, something about you has changed, it's as though you've opened your heart once again". Jiraiya stood and walked to the window and surveyed the Village, his back to his former teammate. The two were silent for several minutes. "Jiraiya?"
"Being with that boy . . . it was almost as if Arashi and Ayame were alive again" Jiraiya replied. "But something was very different about Naruto then with his parents. He far too innocent and still hurting from what happened to him. How could I not open my heart, Tsunade?"
"I don't know. I often wonder that myself" Tsunade replied. "Even after I swore to close off my heart after what happened to me; I did, for many years. Than long comes Naruto, so innocent yet so determined and I found myself opening my heart just for him". Jiraiya nodded and looked at his friend.
"His grandparents wanted him to stay in Hidden Air" Jiraiya replied. "But Naruto refused, saying that his heart belong to Hidden Leaf even though his home was in Hidden Air. He had people waiting back in Hidden Leaf that were hoping that he would return. He told them about you and Iruka, about his Obasan and Aniki. And so, we returned". Jiraiya turned to Tsunade, a smile on his face. "I better get going, I did promise Naruto that he could see Iruka as soon as he got back. Later".
Jiraiya disappeared into a poof of smoke, leaving Tsunade to wonder about everything and anything.
TBC