Konoha, a shinobi village well known for its incredible forces, and defenses that would alert them to any intruder. It was a fortress of a city, and few would ever be able to pierce its walls. It had been eight years since the village had faced annihilation at the hands of the most powerful of the nine tailed beasts. The moon shined down in a dim crest, just enough to illuminate the streets for the few people who were out at this time, so close to curfew. The gate guards had already sealed the gates at sundown, but still it did not stop Konoha's most recent visitor from slipping in like a shadow on the cool night.

No one seemed to notice the cloaked figure as it walked the streets of Konoha, the rushing water seemed to hush in his presence, and all those who would see him merely ignored his presence as if it was never there. The Anbu assigned to guard the Hokage's home were unable to even see the man as he stepped through the defensive seal work, and all the barriers around the Sarutobi estate. There was no pause in the man's stride as he invaded the most secure home in Konoha, save perhaps one or two others.

The owner of the clan house, and eldest active shinobi in Konoha's military had yet to rest that evening, his aged face was furrowed in concentration, looking through his special remote viewing crystal, still looking for a particular missing child. Normally the Hokage would be above such a thing, but this child was far more important than any other that had been orphaned seven years ago. It was only with years of experience, and his prodigal skill even in his advanced age that he was even aware of the man as he silently entered the room phasing through the floor like a ghost.

Sarutobi immediately pressed a seal that would alert the Anbu nearby, and place a hand upon a ninja-to that he kept near his desk. Still when a moment passed and his guardians remained as if they had not been called at all, and the blade glued to its sheath as if fused to it. Sarutobi's breath left his lips slowly. He might have been old and unguarded but he was still the most powerful ninjutsu user in the world. Still the figure before him made his blood run cold, even as it pulled back its hood to reveal a porcelain mask, contoured in the face of a demon. It was a sight that the aged Kage would never forget.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, son of Sasuke. Do you know who I am?" the voice was deep, but more menacing that grating, and it made the elder man's heart jump in his chest. It was as if he was faced with death itself, such was the oppressive force of the man's presence once revealed to him. "No, I would assume not. Even if your body does. Your mind denies the truth. I have come, Sarutobi. Thy bell hast yet to be rung, so relax. Your years are not yet over."

"My…years…you mean…no. You could not be…Shinigami?" the eldest warrior of the Konoha military whispered as if he was crossing himself the very words, and the figure held out a hand, and slowly the shadows materialized into a grim looking blade, a sword that screamed of the innumerable lives it had taken. The dim light seemed to be drawn towards the edge of the tainted sword, before it once again disappeared into the shadows.

"Oh, you are wise for a mortal. Most continue to deny the truth, but I suppose you have come close to my embrace many times, it would leave a mark of my presence upon you. Still, we waste time, and mine upon your mortal coil is far more limited than thy own. I have come because of a grievous breach of contract." The Death God declared in his stoic, but still rather gruff tone. The Hokage's face screwed up in confusion, and in his eyes a deep, and primal terror was unleashed.

"C-Contract. I do not know of…"

"Do not claim ignorance, nor fault. That is mine. The contract is the one bound over the soul of the Kyuubi. I cannot abide by the terms that have been shifted so dramatically, you see as a tailed beast, the Kyuubi's chakra will regenerate to its full nature, thus what I took would become nothing. The cost was paid, but nothing was given. The terms of my contract are very strict, thus I am bound to fulfill something in exchange…" then suddenly the countenance of the Shinigami became something darker, and more vile than anything a man could hope to produce, even the presence of the Kyuubi seemed pale before the glaring eyes of the Shinigami. He reached out and the air screamed at the contact as the figure merely tapped the crystal and the image blurred through images, all long past. A smiling baby, suddenly forced into harsh containment within an orphanage that never wanted him, with hatred hanging over the young blonde's head. More and more images flashed moving through the child's life so far, until it paused over a dim, nearly dark room. Hiccups and cries filled it, a raw voice hoping for help, pleading for safety before a figure closes the door, and the last of the light in the room. Locks slammed into place with a loud snap sound. Then the crystal was black, only soft whimpers fill the air, before the Shinigami's touch was removed and the crystal was removed from the scene and replaced to where the orb had been viewing previously.

"What…no. Where was that?" Sarutobi's face was hard as he stared at the Shinigami, challenging the divine being to ignore his words. The Shinigami was impressed by the man's determination, and even more by his spirit. Still the being had a deal to complete so he would do so with the best of his power, and for now that meant defying one of the few people who had the potential to call upon his strength in the world.

"No. I cannot speak of it. That is beyond my station here, but be certain that if you do not act soon, I will come to reap the charge that I had come to assist." The being paused at Sarutobi's expression of shock, but did not allow him to disgrace himself by interrupting. "I have come instead to urge you to help the boy, and to find him and heal his heart. The darkness within it is far deeper than his eyes and smiles belay. I fear for the child that I have come to defend, might instead use my gifts to rend the balance further asunder than if I'd left it as it was." Sarutobi shook his head slowly, and leaned back into his chair a sigh of sadness, and helplessness escaping his lips.

"I can't. I have tried, but the council has more power over the civilians, not that many of them would want to adopt young Naruto. Though many of the Shinobi clans claim the desire to help the boy, but still the council reminds them, as a special interest no clan can claim him legally. Worse the civilians would condemn any non-clan shinobi as bad as the boy. I've tried, kami help me, I've tried."

"The boy's Godfather? His Father's once favored student? What of them, I doubt-"

"I told them the boy died at birth, and his appearance is merely a side effect of the sealing." Silence filled the air, and suddenly the presence lifted its heavy aura.

"It matters not. I have blessed the boy, and with or without you…his destiny will be great as his parents intended for him. Such is my repayment for the souls I claimed. You will have to decide what is most important to you in the end. I merely came to fulfill a request from the sealer. A message has been passed on from the grave. Protect him, or deny him. The prophecy will be certain either way." His piece given, the figure melted into the darkness, a receding shadow on the long and quiet night. Sarutobi felt his blood still pounding in his veins, before his personal guard appeared in the room, all alert and on guard. Sarutobi's Ninja-to was now in his hand, though it had not been a moment before, and it gleamed with blood.

"Anbu! This is now a priority one order. Find Uzumaki Naruto, he has been locked up in a building in the third district, assume a shinobi residence that has been recently vacated." The Anbu were surprised, but went off anyway unwilling to draw the ire of the angered Kage. The Shinigami had underestimated Sarutobi's ability to glean the information he would need from the dim image, and now the young shinobi would be returned from his long disappearance. Still the other words that had been spoken by the God bothered him, but he couldn't just undo everything…it would ruin his people's moral especially if he told his one time student. Of course then Sarutobi might meet his maker even sooner. So many complications, so much trouble, so many mistakes. Still he'd caused more of it than he'd like to admit. It was only then he noticed the light feeling of liquid flowing down his cheek, and upon gazing at a mirror, he knew exactly from where his blade had drawn the blood it had so hungered for, and tears mixed the blood that slowly fell to the floor as a man's mistakes were all forced before him.

[The Next Morning]

Sarutobi was quiet as he finished as much of his morning paperwork, a slim bandage now across his cheek, tinted pink from the bleeding his own blade had caused. Carefully he considered the paths now thrown before him. It'd taken an hour of hardened searching, but the young blond had been found. The abuses were terrible, and they violated more than many would consider possible. So, merely asking him to recount the time he'd spent under his captor's hand was impossible. So he had to take drastic measures, calling in the best of his Anbu Interrogation Department's mind walkers. He was the Clan Head of the Yamanaka, a gentle man named Inoichi whose own daughter was little more than a scant bit older younger than the boy. Hours had passed and the accounts from Yamanaka Inoichi had been coming in slowly. Though the Hokage trusted that it was as he could place them to page, though he had to take breaks between sessions due to the extreme and emotional memories that the weeks the young blonde had been missed were focused upon his far more formidable but still human mind. Sarutobi was sickened that one of his own could perform such depravations, but the evidence was there. Then came the problem of making the arrest on the offender himself. The man had left of a long term mission that would take several months before he'd return to the village, if he returned at all.

'What do I do? I can have him put through intense therapy, but it would likely take years to get him back to a more stable frame of self. He's only seven years old, by the gods, even if that technique…' The older man frowned as he flipped the most recent report closed, and let out a slow sigh. These kinds of events were terrible, and the rumors would be almost, if not more, devastating then the truth. Still the problem persisted in his mind, as he rolled it over slowly, he had to take care as to what exactly he did from this moment on. He was almost certain of the path he'd be forced to take, but there was another side to it, and that was to identify someone that could handle it. Then there were the other problems from just a few nights previous, and the 'betrayal' of one of his most loyal of soldiers. Truly troubled times were ahead of him.

"Hokage-sama." Sarutobi was startled by the voice that broke the silence, but he didn't show it openly. Before him was a porcelain masked man, there was nothing upon the mask except for a single slash of red across the brow. Slowly he stepped forwards and kneeled calmly before the Kage awaiting permission to give his report. Sarutobi's veins felt chilled, looking over the figure in front of him was even more startling than the events of the few days that had just passed him by.

"Report. Watcher." The masked man stood, and Sarutobi's keen eyes washed over the posture and form of the man as he removed the scroll from it holster and placed it calmly before him. Sarutobi usually received verbal reports from missions like Watcher's, but was more intrigued with the contents than this strange change in the usual protocol.

"The Commander suggested the report be given in this code, stating you would prefer the information within to remain between the two of you. I did not object of course, sir." Sarutobi wondered at that, but didn't express it. The current Watcher, Tracker, and Keeper were each handpicked by his successor, and as per protocol their identities were erased, then they took on the most sacred of duties. There was a shrine that Konoha had been founded around, its location seeped chakra, and allowed for the cultivation of the environment that his master the First Hokage had performed. There was more of course, including the higher rate of children born with the potential to awaken their inner life force, and use their chakra properly. So since the foundation these three designations have existed, elite of the elite, and trusted beyond the pale. Even Sarutobi did not know the identity of the three current figures who wore the masks. Then his eyes glanced down to the code, and found it was in a complex form that his sensei had developed and shared with few. Sarutobi thought that all but his teammates and himself who knew the code had passed on, apparently he'd been incorrect.

"I see. You do not need to remain Watcher. I will read the report in time, thank you for your continued work." The masked man nodded, and spun on his heels and then stepped to the doorway, and touched the handle but paused for a moment.

"Until next time, Hokage-sama." Then the door opened and another man stepped through, Watcher had disappeared in the same way that all of his predecessors had. Completely mysterious, and traceless as they were meant to do when they left back to their post near the Shrine. Sarutobi suspected a time-space ninjutsu, but had never asked about it. The man who entered had the countenance of a man betrayed, angered, and ready to blow. His eyes were that of a predator, and Sarutobi could feel that it took all of the man's prodigious self-control to not do something rash with all the pent up emotion the retired Jonin was holding in. The man was an accomplished doctor, medical ninja, and had attained several war accommodations, well known for self-control, and skill of near Kage level. He was on a list of people that might have become the Fourth Hokage. Even now he was on the possible list of successors due to his skill and willpower, but Sarutobi knew the man was not Kage material beyond pure skill, and force of will. This man was not a leader; he didn't have the charisma to lead a nation. A team of trained warriors, certainly, but not a realm the likes of Konoha.

"Ah, Yasuke-san. I didn't expect a meeting-"

"Do not patronize me, Sarutobi." The man's words were sharp, and curt. Interrupting the Hokage without pausing to consider the action at all. Yasuke Surisaki was not a man to be disrespectful, nor had he ever called the Hokage by his name as long as he'd been acquainted with the Hokage. So, in this case it was probably something that even Sarutobi couldn't fathom that angered the man, as in his entire time knowing the man he'd never spoken to him as such once.

"I do not know-"

"He has a son. You never told me. You thought I wouldn't ever know? Do I look blind Sarutobi?" Yasuke interrupted again, but this time was brought to heel by the sudden dread that suddenly filled his chest. Still he glared down at the seemingly grandfatherly man, but the look in the Kage's eyes were anything but grandfatherly.

"Whom, do you speak of Yasuke?" This time the words Sarutobi spoke seemed to dare the younger man to interrupt him.

"I've seen his son, I was asked to be his physician in place of Koshitomo-san who was ill." Sarutobi's chest tightened, as he listened to those words. Koshitomo was the name of the doctor who was Naruto's physician, as to avoid such problems, as well as prevent the endangerment of his life from the staff of the hospital staff. Still, he was supposed to be notified of such changes, and direct the next chosen doctor to Naruto. This breach was…unprecedented. It was obvious, that something or someone had interfered and forced this meeting.

"I am sorry, but you are merely overreacting. The event of the sealing imprinted something of a mirror of the Fourth's appearance on the boy. Nothing more."

"If I was still an active member of the military I would be forced to accept that, and be forced to let it go. As a civilian…do you take me for a fool? I am a master healer, Sarutobi. I healed that boy's father more times than I can count. I'd even checked over his mother once, or twice during her pregnancy. Do you think I am blind? That I can't see the truth? Naruto Namikaze didn't die in the womb, killed by the escape of the Kyuubi. The chosen child wasn't instead granted his name in appreciation for his sacrifice. No! That boy! That sacrifice is Naruto Namikaze!" Yasuke huffed, and clenched his teeth in both pain and rage. Another reason the man would never become a Kage. In a mission, just before the attack of the Kyuubi he'd been struck by a deadly poison. There was no way to reverse the damage, but thanks to his own skills, and the anti-venoms he'd been on at the time, the damage had been contained. Though his life was drastically shortened to the point that it was almost certain that he would die in the next couple years now, and that was hopeful. The last living member of Team Jiraiya, the last of Minato's teammates was dying and not even Tsunade could help him, if she wanted to.

"I see. I can see what you are about to ask me. I am sorry, but with your health I cannot let you adopt him. If you did, and when you passed it would merely scar him further. I am sorry, I am even sorrier you had to learn like this. You must understand, I've only done it to protect the boy until the time is right." Yasuke's face was screwed up in thought, and Sarutobi wondered whether the man was planning to do something foolish.

"I see. Then I would like to do something else." To this, Sarutobi's brow rose and he readied himself to listen to a story that he would come to either fear, or appreciate in the coming days. So with the clipped tone of a man who had little patience left he spoke simply.

"Explain. Yasuke, and we will work on it." His eyes met the man before him, and for a moment the tension seemed to be thicker than ever, before he finally relented, and slowly began to explain his ideas, and Sarutobi's lips unconsciously curled in satisfaction.

[Anbu Headquarters Building Three: Hospital]

Inoichi sighed over the cup of burning hot coffee, looking down into his own reflection in the dark liquid. The room was bright and warm but nevertheless he could still feel the creeping chill of a steel table, and hard metal restraints and a room barely lit except for the crack of light from under the doorway. He was considered the best of his Clan for many reasons, one being his ability to withstand the echoes of a mind warped, or damaged, but the other reason was his ability to connect to a person's memories and experience them. It made him able to give exact reports, and there were few ways short of death to prevent him from reading someone's mind if he could lay a hand to their brow. Then there were nights like tonight, where the two abilities seemed to work against one another. He had decades of practice and control, years of seeing some of the most perverse, and disturbed things man could conceive. Still what the child in the room behind him had suffered brought his entire life to a halt. He wanted to go home, he wanted to hold his daughter and wife to him and make sure something like this could never happen to them. His tired eyes glanced back to the door, and he sighed.

"If I do that…" he felt the guilt that the monster that had so happily hurt that sunny child should have held. The man had lured the child in with promises of love, and family. Inoichi rubbed his eyes to keep from another emotional outburst, and sighed sitting back and taking a long sip from the mug. It was only the heat of the coffee that was keeping him grounded at this point. The sound of a door closing brought his attention to the pair of interrogators that had some kind of interest to this case. One of course was the Vice Head of the Anbu Interrogation Department's Third Section. Ibiki Morino. The man was usually very reserved, and never let cases like this get to him but Inoichi always could read well beneath the man's façade. He was no less angered than the Hokage himself, more so, if you considered his past. The other was one of the most violent, and desperate women he'd ever met. She was the apprentice of the Sannin Orochimaru, and a Special Jonin herself. Though the Sannin's betrayal had tarnished his name, it also dragged her own through the mud just as violently. Inoichi remembered to tatters that her mind had been left in by the man's actions, and he was sickened by the man's insanity. Though her presence was one that he expected less than Ibiki's, the methods that had been used here, they of course called out to her.

"You look like shit, sir." She drawled out the last word, and he knew that despite outranking her, he didn't have her respect. Not that he could blame her, after all. He'd failed her just a year ago, when not two years ago he'd failed her, and the Hokage in finding out what happened during the defection. Ibiki merely nodded in agreement, a great show of concern for the man who was considered to be made of ice and stone by many of his juniors. Of course, Inoichi was anything but a Junior to the man, but still he smiled slimly at the sentiment anyway.

"Yes, I suppose I do. It's a mess in that head, and nothing was as it was supposed to be." Inoichi remarked setting the mug down on the reports from the orphanage that the child had been living in for the past seven years. The man's eyes were hard for a moment as he looked to the papers he now used as a coaster.

"Rarely is, that's why they need people like you-" Ibiki began, making Inoichi glance to the man, whose gruff tone was a stark contrast to the much lighter voice of the previous speakers. "-and me. We are the ones who find the consistency in the random messes they give us." Inoichi nodded before moving his mug to show Ibiki the coffee stained reports from the orphanage that he'd reviewed before delving into the young Jinchuriki's mind.

"So, where is the inconsistency there?" he asked in a sagely manner, letting the man's eyes wander the page before holding them back out for Inoichi to take and return to their new position as a coaster. Ibiki's face was scrunched up in concentration, before shaking his head.

"It all seemed to match up, nothing was out of place. It matches the other reports I've seen as well, so…what is the inconsistency?"

"These pages paint the image of a dull mind, and foolish, wild child. One who is unable to taught a thing, but I've seen his mind. It is not wild, or dull. It is sharp, and strong. A structure, a full sewer network. I am sure you can understand what that would mean." Inoichi relayed to the scared man who showed a moment of shock by the revelation, while the purple haired snake user was merely confused. Luckily Inoichi continued without waiting for questions. "A dull mindscape would be a familiar environment, but even then the details would be poor. His room in orphanage for instance, with shoddy images of favored toys. While a gifted mind could contain their own home, fully detailed, and working appliances." Then he gestured to a window that had hard metal shutters but could be opened, if it was desired. "Then there are true geniuses. Like Shikaku, whose mind is a perfect replica of Konoha, and even contains images of people he knows really well. There are still limitations, but it's an amazing thing. Naruto's mind, is closer to Shikaku's than mine or anyone else I've ever seen, but at the same time there is something that frightens me about it." With this the man paused, and looked down to his coffee cup again.

"Well? Don't keep us in suspense! Spit it out." The purple haired Special Jonin demanded.

"I saw a ladder, and a light coming from above…despite exploring one of the most detailed, and intricate minds I've ever seen…there might have been more…no. There had to be more up that ladder…and that alone terrifies me like nothing else." With that Inoichi stood, and walked to the door coffee in hand. "I can't say for sure, but I think we all need to watch this boy. Something amazing might follow him." Then with that said he walked into the room, to continue delving into the mindscape of a wounded child. The two interrogators were left to ponder, and consider his words in their own way. All the while a single shadowy figure disappeared; back to report to his true master.

[Hokage's Office: Night]

Sarutobi was working another late night, as he looked over the pictures taken of the damage to the young would-be Shinobi he was also worried of another problem that arose that was equally unexpected. Still his personal guards had already moved on for the night, taking a defensive position from the area rather than within the building that was now mostly sealed. He wanted to stop being the commander of this village now more than ever. The things that had to be sacrificed to do the right thing in the eyes of the powerful were almost too distasteful for him to handle.

"Hokage-sama. The daily reports from the Anbu are in. I've found an interesting case or two. I also have begun to close in on the leak in our security in the fourth sector. I think it may, in fact be connected to the rash of disappearances that we've been seeing in the past few weeks. Nothing solid however yet. I will of course keep you updated." The voice of the only man currently authorized to be in the Hokage's presence in the tower at this time of night spoke calmly, placing another folder upon the desk. Sarutobi did not even look at it, but instead glanced up to the porcelain mask, with the appearance of a vicious dragon upon it. This was the Anbu Commander, second only in the chain of commander to the Hokage himself. All Anbu Commander's had taken up the mask, Dragon, and became the legend. Some he heard say that the Anbu Commander had never changed, it was one immortal shadow of death that held no remorse, and served the Hokage for sustenance. It was true that the advancement to one becoming the Anbu Commander was silent, and even more so, isolating but it was needed.

"Very good. I assume you've had a chance to look into the special interest as well." Dragon nodded in response to the Hokage's words, and stood more at ease.

"I think that what you recommended would be best. Then perhaps with time, and some reinforcement we could modify, and with time remove the implement." Dragon spoke coolly, his voice smooth and unchanging as if discussing the weather and not someone's very future. "I do, however disagree on several things I have heard. The records are also becoming further circumspect. I have now seen the child's body, and if the reports were true, a more lethargic, or perhaps sickly body would be laying in that bed. I think that we should have an evaluation sent to the Academy. Perhaps it's time to ask the Lady Genkido to step down from her duties as Headmistress, and consider the options of replacement."

Sarutobi stroked his chin, and frowned. If it were any other of his Anbu he'd be concerned of emotional distress clouding their mind, as the boy's condition was harrowing. Though in Dragon's case that would be pointless, and even perhaps seen as an insult to the man; even Danzo's old Root agents would've strived for the emotional control possessed by Dragon. "I see, that is something to look into then, though I hope there are no signs of the teachers, and staff tampering with his education as well."

"Unlikely but I understand your concern. Then there is the matter of the…Incident."

"Ah. I assumed you would bring this up soon." Sarutobi's voice strained as he grew wearier of the way things were again stacking up.

"Indeed. I want to know when I should plan to…complete the mission." Dragon spoke with a gentle pause to consider how to word the idea to his commander.

"I-wait. Complete? No, no. That…that will not be needed." Sarutobi stumbled over the bluntness of his subordinate, and one of the few informed of the truth of the matter. The unexpected deviation from the plan.

"Sir, if she were to revert, or stumble upon her old memories-" Dragon began, but was swift cut off by his commander.

"I've considered this, and no matter how many probes, medical exams, or attempts to end whatever has been done, there is no sign of the woman she once was. Though her new persona is…strange at best."

"I see. While I believe we should solve the problem once and for all. I will as always defer to your wisdom." Sarutobi unconsciously frowned at the words unsaid, which he figured were something like, 'and I will point it out when you prove to have been mistaken.' Such confidence in his ways was both a boon, and a curse for the aged Hokage who sometimes wished Kakashi had the job instead. 'At least we could talk about Jiraiya's latest release rather than all this drama, and heartache.'

"Dismissed Dragon, and thank you for the reports. I will of course inform you of my thoughts at the staff meeting in the morning." The Hokage finished, and Dragon nodded before signing his salute.

"Very well, sir. Thank you." Then he slipped into the darkness and was gone, a shadow on the wind.

Sarutobi turned towards the dark window that looked over the dimly light village, with bright stars of light cascading through the quiet village illuminating the homes and walkways but to him it was merely a reminder of his duty. This was his home, and his charge. Soon enough however, he would bring about the instrument of its change, for better or worse.

[Konoha Forest: Edge of Fire Country]

That night the darkness seemed to grip at the heels of the pair of shinobi that bounced through the trees, each one was as silent as a whisper and cloaked in black cloaks flowing in the air around them hiding their faces as they moved. Underneath one of the cloaks was a set of recently cleaned Anbu armor and equipment. The other wore typical Jonin gear, and held a large scroll about a third of the size of the forbidden scroll under his arm. They were on the run from Hunter Ninja who would be on their trails for unrelated crimes. Each was set up through a contact that happened to have them meet in the same place. The each stopped as a pair of figures stood on a plateau that served as a natural border between the Fire Country and Wind Country. The figures were surrendered by several corpses, Hunter Ninja most predominate among them. Some from Konoha, some from Suna, and one sliced headband was even from Kumo. Some were merely border patrols, missing ninja looking for a bounty, and who knows what else but one thing was for certain. None were alive. To the approaching pair, the way they had died, and the spray of the blood showed that not one of the fallen had managed to get within three meters of the two hooded men.

The two running ninja came to a slow stop, before one of the figures stepped up a swirled mask covering his face with only a single eye opening on it. "So you've arrived then." the masked figure turned back to look at the other hooded man. "I will take mine then, and you yours. Till the next time we meet then, Seeker of Knowledge." The figure waved and then turned back to the new arrivals. "Come. Itachi. Time is short, and we have much to do." Then, without pause the pair disappeared, swirling away into thin air before the Ex-Anbu could even speak a word. Leaving the man in Jonin apparel, walking over the corpses, and handing over the scroll he held nestled against him to the second figure.

"As I promised master, this is what you asked for." The man gave a bow, and in the glimmering moonlight, he could see his master's pale face, a devil's sneer across it. The hooded man smiled, and stowed the scroll away with a quick motion.

"Kukuku, excellent. I was almost of out the materials I needed. You've done well, Junta-kun." Then he held out a much smaller scroll, which the Jonin took happily and the hooded man stepped past him back towards the village. "That will tell you were to go, and whom to speak with. The future burns bright for you. Minru Junta."

"Thank you! Thank you! I will see you again, and I promise I will not fail you, Orochimaru-sama!" then the man was running again, towards the base he'd been directed towards. The Snake Sannin sneered in pleasure glancing back towards the horizon before he disappeared into the night like a fleeting shadow. Slowly a slithering shadow began to slip between the bodies and one by one devoured them, leaving the plateau clean of any sign that the corpses had ever been there in only a scant few minutes. In the silent night a pleased hiss, and puff of smoke was the only signs the starlit snake had ever been there.

Naruto: A Shinigami's Lament

Disclaimer: The author does not own Naruto.

-End Prologue One

Author [Talking in a dark room, features hidden behind the screen of their computer]: Hello there everyone. Welcome to the remake of my story Shinigami's Folly, some time ago I decided to go back and try to fix some of the early problems with my story. I quick saw the errors, and writing problems I felt that held me back pile up, and I couldn't take it. So in the end I decided to retell the story in a better, more linear and less…jumpy way. There will be less Segway's to other characters, and the only breaks will be for other reasons entirely. This is a different, but similar story. Though the similarities are there, the details will be different. So new readers and old will get a kick out of it. Also every 'sixth' chapter will instead be a Shinigami's Side Story, which maybe shorter than a regular chapter, but will focus on the other side of this story without jumping around to it in the regular flow. Ignoring these chapters will not ruin your experience, and are merely for exposition's sake and to tell another story all at once.

Shinigami [Staring at crowd with his menacing mask]: My story will be the best, no need to read the rest of it. No doubt.

Author [Coughs, and shoves the Shinigami from the scene]: Right. Well, as you can see. This is not the only prologue chapter. There will be at least one other, perhaps a third. I wanted to give more detail to the interactions between Naruto, and the events around him, and how they will change him (and the general changes to the story prior the start of the series). After the Prologues, we will have a Shinigami's Side Story. Then Chapter One. Excluding the side stories I am going to try for a five thousand total word minimum per chapter. I will say, this is not the same story. I am going to be doing several different things. Either way, new reader, or veteran. I welcome you to the story. I hope to have few Author's notes throughout the story, though there may be some in the Side Stories.

Naruto: A Shinigami's Lament

Primary Genre (Prevalent Theme): Action/Adventure.

Secondary Genres (Reoccurring, or Important Themes): Relationships (Romantic and Otherwise), Drama, Supernatural/Fantasy (Gods are active behind the scenes, and other non-canon mystical beings), Choice.

Other Genres (Themes that show up, but are not central): Angst/Dark Fic, Humor.

Pairings: None. Not to say there will not be relationships, but they will be more fluid like real life. Final Pairings will eventually be announced. (Though, In the meantime, send me reviews stating pairings you'd like to see explored. I'll try to see what I can do, but don't expect every suggestion to happen immediately, or at all.)

Rating M: There will be no lemons in this story, but there will be alternate chapters with the full lemons posted elsewhere. There will be a link in each chapter that a Lemon scene was written in, for where to find it. This list will also be added to my profile.