A bit of warning to all the readers, this story is intended for mature readers, I'm rating this as M just to be on safe side, but I'm sure mature 13+ can read this story with out having too much psychological problems. Now on to the story. . .
Later on, some contents may be rather descriptive and somewhat offensive, you have been warned.
'With this. . . I can seal its soul into my own body. When my soul is taken by shinigami, the Kyubi will also die with me.' Arashi, the fourth Hokage, leader of Konoha village thought as he ripped the soul of demon from its body.
Only Kyubi the demon fox and Arashi could see the shimmering figure that appeared behind Arashi. On one hand it held prayer beads while other held long scythe. The hand that held onto the prayer bead jutted out from Arashi's abdomen, as if it has pierced it from his lower back.
Prayer beads slowly warped around the shinigami's hand, while the hand it self grabbed onto Kyubi's soul. Following the will of its contractor, the hand slowly drew the demon's soul into Arashi's abdomen. It was contest of will as Arashi and Kyubi fought, in the end, Arashi barely won. When the soul of Kyubi was completely absorbed into Arashi's body, Shinigami's scythe flashed in the moonlight, cutting Arashi's spirit in half but did no physical damage. Arashi's cerulean blue eyes glazed over as his body fell limply like a puppet with its strings cut.
However, something unexpected had occurred, for his body began to shrink in size, until he was nothing more then an infant. On his abdomen was a swirl like seal created when Kyubi's soul was absorbed into Arashi's body. A soft blue glowing ball of light descended from the sky, landing on baby's chest. It lingered for few seconds before being absorbed.
The infants eye snap open as it let out loud cry, just as new born child would. The third Hokage who had witnessed this event slowly walked over to the child and picked him up. "Kyubi's will to live must have been so strong that it even cheated death it self." He spoke softly. "From this day forth, your name will be Naruto, Uzumaki Naruto for the swirl on your stomach."
Even thought the great beast has fallen, even though their certain demise has been prevented, no one, not a single being in the village cheered. That day, people of the Konoha village grieved for their loved ones who died valiantly, fighting for their loved ones.
Few days have passed since the event, for death toll was so great that village decided to hold funeral service for everyone at same time, along with the hero that saved the village, the fourth Hokage.
Shortly after the funeral, angry rumors spread overtime. The demon container's existence was never announced publicly, but, those who were present spoke of the event to their family, and their family spoke of the even to their friends. Soon, the words spread like wild fire, cascading throughout the village like a plague.
People of the village began to gather in protest. Yelling and screaming to kill the demon container. The third Hokage stood over the gathered crowd, hoping to explain the situation and reason with them. "The fourth used this innocent infant as a container so that he may save your lives. Naruto is not the demon, simply its container. The fourth wished him to be the hero, someone that bears the burden of having demon sealed within him. In honors of fourth's last wish, I will not allow any harm to befall this child! Further more, if the child is killed, there is high chance that Kyubi will be freed from the seal for the child's spirit is acting as seal's power. Therefore, hence today forth, it will be against our law to speak of the demon container, especially his identity. This is a secret that may bring harm to our village if it falls in wrong hands, if any of you break this law, you will be punished severely."
"But there is a chance that demon might free it self! Its like having walking time bomb in our village!" With this outburst, crowd of people began to yell out what ifs, and their fears for Kyubi, screaming for murder and banishment from village.
Third raised one of his hand to quite down the people. It took few minutes but eventually people settled down. "I have said this before and I will say it again. Killing the child will more then a likely free the demon once more. I know how this technique works better then anymore. If we banish this kid from this village and he dies in the forest, what do you think will happen? The Kyubi will be freed and will only attack us once more! It would be for the best if we keep the child in the village, where I can keep an eye on the child."
Ten years later.
"Hey mister, could I have ten of this please?" A beautiful young blond hair girl wearing white shirt and black skirt pleaded with the shopkeeper as she pointed at the fruits.
"Of course Narumi san, I'll pick the ten best especially for you. I can't have my best and favorite customer getting bad batch." Man replied with hearty laugh as he picked the ten freshest. "Tell everyone to visit anytime."
"Thank you." She replied politely as she handed some bills over. "Extras are to pay for what Ayumi chan owed you."
Shop keeper laughed out loud once more. "Megumi chan already paid for that, so don't you worry your pretty little head about it." He replied as he handed the bills back. "You three girls are doing noble thing indeed.
"Really, its no big deal." She replied with slight blush forming on her cheeks. "Well, I have to go now, I'll see you later."
With bundle of bags in her arms, she happily skipped down the street, turning into an alleyway. As she continued on, the buildings around her began to look shadier. She had entered what most people would call slum, although it is small part of the town, slum did exist in village of Konoha near base of the mountain. Due to several large scale wars that they had fought in, it was cheaper and easier to simply build new houses instead of repairing what was destroyed.
Most people of the town stayed clear of this area for it was famous for its hoodlums and homeless people called hobos. People also had tendency of getting robbed in this area, sometimes people wouldn't even realize they have been robbed until much later. For this thieves were good enough to elude even some of the ANBU squads.
Unlike in the past when Uchiha clan acted as a police squad to keep peace, now the entire burden fell upon other ninjas to take care of when the clan was annihilated. So in a sense, it was easier for experience thieves to work.
But, all the shady people and hobos left her alone. Some even bowed respectfully as she passed.
Before long, she reached a three story apartment building that was in fair conditions. All the windows were in place and trash did not litter the area. It stuck out like a sore thumb compared to its surrounding buildings.
"I'm home!" She called out as she entered one of the apartments on first floor. Suddenly, with puff of smoke, her form shifted into that of a young boy around age of eleven. His messy blond hair and cerulean sparkling blue eyes that seems to see everything at once.
"Wow, you're back rather early Naruto kun." A girl in her late teens greeted as she exited the kitchen. She had long luscious emerald hair and beautiful green eyes. She wore simple dress that hid her figure, but she was sight to behold.
"Here are the groceries." Naruto replied as he set the bags down. The entire first floor had been modified, so that entire complex could be accessed from first floor. First floor became the living room and kitchen, second and third floor acted as sleeping area. Because it was previously apartment before being modified, each apartment had two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, and small living room.
"Yea, I got off work early today." Naruto replied with a warm smile as he placed the groceries in its rightful place. "I figured we'll have curry with rice today, tell everyone that they are welcome to join us."
"Sure, I'll go ahead and tell everyone." Ayumi replied as she left the building.
Rolling up his dark blue long sleeves, he thoroughly washed his hands and the vegetables before he began. Laying the items carefully on the cutting board, he raised his hand over the vegetables and moved his hand across the board.
When he lifted the cutting board up to transport all the vegetables into pot, the vegetables fell apart having been cut evenly and cleanly. Placing the vegetables in the pot, he placed it on top of firebox. With quick set of hand seal, he blew fire into the fireplace, igniting the fire woods.
"Ayumi, I'm home!" A feminine voice called from the entrance.
"Welcome home Megumi chan" Naruto called out from the kitchen as he peeled apple by moving his hand around its surface.
"Wow, your home early." Megumi was also a girl in her teens. She had shoulder length smooth raven hair, hazel brown eyes. She had cute face and wonderfully developed figure that drew eyes from most man..
"How was work?" She asked as she took the offered apple.
"Same as always Megumi chan." Naruto replied as he pealed another apple. "You're home early also."
"Café was slow so manager let us leave early." Megumi replied with a shrug, setting down on an empty counter next to fridge. "Where's Ayumi?"
"She when to find out how many we are cooking for today." Naruto replied as he added some spices.
"Well anyways, here you go Naruto. My very first paycheck." Megumi replied with a grin as she handed Naruto a yellow envelope.
"Thank you Megumi chan." Naruto replied as he accepted the envelope with his right hand with his left hand on his right forearm and his head bowed slightly. After quickly counting the bills, he returned the bills. "Thank you for the thought, but this is your first paycheck, spend it as you wish."
"I am spending it like I want to Naruto kun, you have done so much for me in this past five years, this is the least I can do." Megumi replied as she hopped off the counter.
Naruto's form shifted into what might appear to be Naruto in another five years or so. He warped his arms around Megumi and whispered into her ear. "You have already given me more then you know Megumi chan, you and Ayumi chan both. So don't worry about repaying me or anything like that. This is your hard earn money Megumi chan, go buy your self some clothing or something like a normal girl."
"Awe, how cute." A sudden voice drew the pair's attention as they turned to see who had spoken. In the doorway stood a young man around age of sixteen. He wore simple white shirt and dark blue jeans. His looks were bit above average, but his lean muscular body drew few attentions from opposite sex when he works in the field.
"Man, is everyone getting off early today?" Naruto commented as he let go of Megumi and turning back to normal.
"How was the field Sanosuke san?" Megumi asked as she handed Sanosuke a cup of cold orange juice.
"Yea, we finished with all the works early, all thanks to certain blond beauty." Sanosuke replied with a smirk as he stared at Naruto knowingly. Naruto simply returned the smirk.
"Well then, since you are here early, why don't you go fix the roof? I hear Naruto san's room is leaking." Ayumi said as she entered the kitchen. "Well be having around twenty people."
"Gee, why thanks. Besides, if you want someone to fix the roof, tell Van to do it. He is the carpenter." Sanosuke replied as he walked way.
"Heh, yea. If anyone can fix the roof, it would be Van. . . why speaking of the devil." Naruto said as he tossed a small bottle of milk to the recent arrival.
"Sup?" Van greeted as he caught the milk. He also wore simple dirtied white shirt and blue carpenter jean with leather boots. Warped around his waist is some type of belt with bunch of small pockets and loops for his tools.
"Yay! Van is here!" a bundle of red blur jumped into Van, warping her arms and legs around his waist.
"Where did you come from? I didn't even see you." Van replied as he ruffled her hair. "Now Kokoro chan, what did I say about jumping on me while I'm wearing this belt?"
"I'm sorry." Little girl pouted cutely as she got off of Van. "I won't do it again."
"So how many are we expecting today?" Van asked as he took his belt off and set it aside.
"Ayumi chan says around twenty people." Megumi replied as she also exited the kitchen and sitting down next to Sanosuke in the couch. "Hey Naruto kun? How long is dinner?"
"I'm almost. . ." before Naruto could finish his sentence, he disapeared with puff of smoke.
"Oh dear, I hope everything is alright" Ayumi gasped.
"Oh crap, that means we have to cook dinner." Megumi whined as she stood up. "Don't worry Ayumi chan, I'm sure he will be fine. After all, he is our guardian angel."
"Naruto!" a male voice shouted out as Naruto was knocked across the clearing by solid kick to the throat.
"God damn it." Naruto growled as he coughed up blood. "Kage bunshin no jutsu." With small puff of smoke, four Naruto stood facing the opponent.
One of the shadow clones banished and appeared directly behind the enemy, landing a solid elbow thrust to the base of enemy's neck. Second clone also appeared directly in front of the enemy, with quick snap kick to the jaw, it sent the ninja flying like a rag doll. Third clone appeared in air, in front of the enemy's trajectory landing a devastating axe kick directly on the nose.
Fourth person to appear was not the clone of Naruto, but different blond hair man with green eyes. He grabbed the enemy into bear hug and began to spin rapidly like a top, free falling head first into the ground. At last moment, the blond haired man let go and landed up right while enemy crashed into ground head first, breaking its neck on impact.
"Naruto kun, are you alright?" Blond haired young man wearing blue Hakama asked as he walked over to Naruto.
"Yea, I'll be fine. Thanks for asking." Naruto replied as he coughed a few times.
"Oh good, if something were to happen to you while you were doing me a favor, girls would skin me alive and hang me to dry on rainy day."
"Well, it seems like we are having curry of dinner." Naruto replied with a sigh.
"So your clones did disappear." Jin replied with a sigh.
"Thakfully, all my other clones where done with what they were doing." Naruto shrugged as he went to pick up the bounty, only to growl in frustration. "Could you carry the bounty? My arm is kinda sore."
"Sure, its my bounty anyways." Jin replied as he picked up the dead criminal and tied him up with ropes. "Hey Naruto? Why didn't you graduate early?"
Naruto stared off into distance before he replied. "Because, I'm waiting for my friends to graduate with me."
"Then why do you keep your strength secret?"
Naruto grinned as he turned around to face Jin. "So that my enemies may think me weak and let their guards down. When you are strong, seem weak, when you are wise act a fool, its basic strategy. By the way, why didn't you take the genin test? I'm sure you would have passed without a hitch"
"That's because, I like setting my own schedules. Besides, mercenary work suites me fine." Jin replied with a grin as he pointed at the criminal. "I wouldn't be able to make this much money even if I worked as genin for a year."
"Heh, that's true. What are ya going to do with all that money anyways?" Naruto asked as he put his hand on back of his head.
"I'm going to propose to Ayumi san and use what ever that is left over to fix the apartment."
"I see, good luck with that. Ayumi san's been waiting for you for long time now. . . don't you want to move out of the apartment? Start your own family, open up a small business and settle down?"
"I do." Jin replied as he stared at the sky. "But, I'm sure Ayumi would rather wait, we are still young so we have plenty of time. Besides, I already have a family." Jin replied with a smile as he stared at Naruto. "I'm sure you will make fine Hokage one day."
"Oh shush you. Lets hurry home, I'm staving." Naruto called out as he took to the trees, jumping from branch to branch.
"For ten year old to take on an A rank missing nin with only minor injuries… his going to become one of the strongest ninja in history." Jin whispered to him self as he took to the trees, moving twice as fast as Naruto. "And I'm going to be the strongest hunter ever."
"Welcome back." Megumi said as Naruto walked into the apartment.
"Jin has something he wants to take care of so he'll be little late." Naruto replied as he plop down on a chair. "Man I'm beat… I guess I'll sleep through class tomorrow."
"Now now, you shouldn't do that to Iruka sensei." Ayumi chided as she placed plate of food in front of Naruto.
"Did anyone else show up?"
"Yea, we had about eighteen people show up to eat. They told me that most of them got a job as construction workers, it seems like they are finally getting out of this area." Ayumi replied.
"I see. Hey Megumi? Could you sleep with me tonight?" Naruto asked as he slowly chewed on his food.
"Yea, sure." Megumi replied with out a pause.
"Mmhmm" Naruto moan softly as he breathed in. "Your hair smells wonderful."
Currently the two laid on Naruto's bed, his arms huggingly warmly as they shared body heat. "Your so arm and comfortable…" Naruto murmured as he drifted into sleep.
"Hey Naruto? No matter how you may act, you still are a child" Megumi whispered as she stared at snoozing form of Naruto's face. "Good night." She lean closer and lightly kissed his forehead. "and sweet dreams."
Naruto weaved in and out of the attacks as he danced around his opponent, stepping into his opponent's guard and deleavering and palm strike. His opponent stepped to the side, spun and elbowed him in the back of the head. Naruto fell to the ground and with puff of smoke disappeared.
"You've gotten stronger Jin" Naruto commented as he landed lightly on the ground next to Jin.
"If you don't hurry, you're going to be late for school" Megumi called out from the third floor.
"Fine, I'll go to stupid school you slave driver!" Naruto said as he walked off grumbling about unfairness of all.
"So how'd it go?" Megumi asked Jin as she hoped down. "I figured one of the reason why Naruto asked me to stay with him was to give you and Ayumi some private time together in my apartment."
Jin simply gave her a goofy grin.
"That good heh? Congrats on losing your virginity!"
"Hey!" Jin shouted in mock anger as they began to spar against one another.
School was rather boring place to be. Thankfully due to technique he had learned long time ago, he could be at many different places at same time. Currently his clones where out working in the fields; Hunting, fishing, farming while some of his other clones worked in the city as construction worker, trash picker, milk delivery, and waitress. Sometimes it was convenient being a ninja, not only can you be at many different places at same time, you can also go to the said place disguised as someone else.
"Hey Shikamaru, wanna go skip out and play chess?" Naruto's lips moved but no words came out.
Shikamaru, the laziest student in the class sighed as he stared at their teacher, then gave some sort of signal one of his buddy, the largest student in class. "How troublesome."
Naruto grinned as he stood up and non chanttedly walked out of the class. Most of the students simply ignored the common day occurring act, while others were too busy ogling Sasuke, the class prince.
Once Naruto reached their destined spot under a tree, he took out two kunai and tossed them lightly. With small pop, two knifes turned into his two friends. "How troublesome." Shakamaru said as he lazily set down in front of Naruto, while his big boned friend opened up a new bag of potato chip.
Naruto reached into his bags and took out one scroll, laying it in front of him, he broke the seal and un-rolled it, within few seconds, chess board and pieces appeared ready to be played.
None of he players moved, but for some weird reason, the pieces began to move by them selves. After while, bead of sweat began to gather on Shikamaru's forehead as he frowned in concentration.
"How tiresome." Shikamaru replied with a heavy sigh.
"Heh, you've gotten stronger." Naruto replied as his pieces moved.
"And your becoming even more annoying to deal with." Shikamaru also replied as he sipped his tea.
"I learned from the best." Naruto replied with a mock bow.
"And check mate." Shikamaru replied as he moved in his knight.
Naruto blinked at the board several times before sighing. "I didn't see that coming, thank you for the game." He replied with a bow.
"Thank you for the game." Shikamaru said returning the bow and promptly laid down on the ground, staring at the blue sky.
"You gotten lot better at manipulating your shadow." Naruto replied as he joined Shikamaru.
"So did your technique." Chouji replied as he also laid down on Shikamaru's other side. "Ooh, that cloud looks like teriyaki."
"Seems like school will be out soon, how troublesome."
"Heh, one of this days your going to say breathing is troublesome." Naruto replied as he hopped up. "Well, let's go home."
"Hey Naruto?"
"Yea?"
"How long do you plan on staying in that abandoned house? You should have enough money by now to at least buy a decent place." Slowly standing up, Shikamaru asked as he dusted his pants.
"Even if I have the money, I wouldn't be able to find people that are willing to sell to me just yet." Naruto replied as he disappeared.
"He looked rather sad." Chouji said as he also stood up.
"Its too troublesome." Shikamaru answered as he lazily walked towards the town.
"I'm home!" Naruto called out as he entered the apartment complex.
"Welcome home Naruto kun." Ayumi called out from the second floor.
"Where is everyone at?" Naruto asked as he hopped up to the second floor balcony.
"Oh, they are helping Jin with his hunt. They are hunting down a big fish as Jin said." Ayumi replied as she rinsed the pots.
"Oh I see, was I with them?" Naruto asked as he set on one of the empty counters.
"Narumi chan was with them."
"Ah, then everything should be fine." With a huge yawn, Naruto stretched out and slowly walked out of the kitchen. "I'm going to go to sleep, can you wake me up before dinner?"
"Sure, sweet dreams Naruto kun."
"Thanks, see ya." Waving good bye, Naruto jumped to the third floor and walked into his apartment, moving directly to his bed and fell face first into it. With puff of smoke, he disappeared.
"Seems like Naruto got back from School." Narumi replied as she dodged a knife thrust, spinning around and hammering her foe in the back of the neck. Her opponent fell to the ground and turned into a log.
Loud ki-ap could be heard followed by sound of heavy object hitting the ground after falling a good distance. Running over to the area, Narumi spotted Jin crouched down next to the opponent they were fighting against. The opponent was buried from its head to waist.
"You did that one counter where you throw them into air, appear next to them, bear hug em and spin fastest you can while falling thing, didn't you?"
"Heh, I finally mastered it so mind as well use it." Jin replied with a grin as he grabbed the enemy's ankle and tried to pry him out.
"I'm sure there is a copy right law against that some where, after all it was a video game move." Narumi replied as she grabbed onto the other foot to help.
"Bah, who cares. I'm sure copy right laws are not meant for doing the moves in real life." Jin grabbed the ropes and began tying the ninja with it.
"I'm sure he is dead." Narumi replied as she poked the ninja.
"So? This looks more professional." Jin replied as he tied the knots. Narumi's eyebrow twitched as she held her urge to snap Jin up side down.
"You're buying dinner." Narumi snapped as she walked away, arms crossed and stomping her feet.
"Awe, she is so much like a little girl when she acts like that." Megumi said with a giggle.
"But, but, she said I have to pay for dinner." Jin replied hysterically as he pointed wildly at Narumi. "I'm going to go bankrupt!"
"Oh its not that bad, we'll probably have our usual twenty or so homeless folks plus Naruto's friends Shikamaru, Chouji, Kiba, and Akamaru. . ." Megumi trailed off and stared at Jin. "I guess you are going to have to go after A rank criminal later, good luck."
"Why me!" Jin called out with anguish at the heavens.