It's Complicated

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Naruto Shippuden.

A/N: What style of writing is preferred? Third, second, first?

Chapter 1: Backstory

Sirens rung at an earsplitting rate. Fire, embers and ash covered and rained down around the Uzumaki household. Screams pierced the neighbor's ears as the eerie sounds ripped from the Uzumaki resident's throats. Naruto wheezed pitiably in a desperate attempt to receive much needed oxygen. His world was literally burning and falling apart all around him.

He was no older than seven. Tears prickled in his eyes as he walked through the halls of the fiery domain that was once his home.

"O-otou-san...okaa-saaan!" The boy screamed out in anguish, yearning for the comfort and protection of his parents. His appearance was torn and ragged. His blue, checkered pajama pants were now a dull grey due to the large amount of soot. His shirt had holes and tears which were caused by falling dibree. Naruto's small hands were cut and calloused and his tiny, fragile body was littered in bruises.

"M-mom!" He coughed out. His vision became blurry and found himself tripping over his own feet and he took favor in leaning against the wall as he continued his search for his parents.

A poorly shaped silhouette could be seen through the dark smoke. It was large, tall and due to the circumstances, Naruto couldn't help but willingly fall into the stranger's arms with a quiet plea of,

"..Daddy..."

Naruto accepted the dark embrace of unconsciousness and the stranger who held him brought Naruto's small frame closer to their own in means of protection. A mask was slid onto the blond haired boy's face and Naruto almost immediately felt the relief of being able to freely breathe again. The stranger's name tag shined brightly in the dramatic lighting of the fire. It read:

Shiki

And soon enough the poor boy was rescued from the fire with not a single indication of the sorrow that was to come.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Now, as of October 10th, 1998, we call off any and all investigation of the murder of both Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. They died by fire with no knowledge of who started it. No suspects were claimed and or found so we now officially call off this investigation. There were no wills written by either party so the distribution of property will not be made but rather donated to charity. The only son, Naruto Uzumaki, will be living with his godfather, Jiriaya Sannin, who will take on the responsibility of housing the eight year old boy as his guardian."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX