Disclaimer: I own nothing save for Nyx

Different steps of a ladder

A/N I'm putting all new author's note at the beginning of the stories since I'm still sure most of you aren't reading it when it is at the bottom so for now enjoy it. Since my mock is starting soon I'm putting up this little teaser for you as a sort of preview. However whether I complete this chapter or skip to just combining it into the third chapter is undecided yet. So sorry it's so short.

A/n Now I left some clues in the story that may have discrepancies at first glance but are made on purpose so assume that any mistake you find in the plot as part of my overall cookies for you the readers. Some will be disguised or even carefully worded (hint magic) though it will make more sense with any information from the newer chapters.

A/nI am considering on making more chapters or excerpts to highlight on the situation in Konoha for the rookie 12 as the story progresses so that I can show you the general development of some of the characters that I change into OOC. Not decided yet but review or PM me if you think that I should or shouldn't do it.

A/n Kudos for ncpfan for helping me develop some of my plot ideas after his review and subsequent conversation. Reviewing or pming me will allow me to change, improve and maybe even incorporate your ideas or wishes into my plot.

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" You know I always wondered why mages seemed to have so much difficulty with elemental manipulation. Your shinobi on the other hand only needs to fling their elemental jutsu with impunity at levels that would make any magi jealous. Though it isn't as potent" Nyx and Naruto were at a deserted field in the middle of nowhere. Nowhere being a place achievable through Nyx teleportation trick. A form of reverse summons with Nyx as the boss had allowed Naruto to access her homeland. This was achievable as Nyx is the only kitsune alive and being in default the boss of all kitsune (herself), gaining the power of making a summoning contract in the form of a small pocket size book, who says that animals can't keep up with the time. With privacy and tranquility insured Naruto can practice his magic without risking discovery. That saiad the summoning contract was basically useless as Nyx whose had no body couldn't be summoned and with no other kitsune to summon...

Naruto was currently being taught basic magic training in order to appease Nyx somewhat I-know -better-than-you methods.

" Well since we can't do the easy way, this is the only thing we can do so please tell me if I am missing the point in your rambling." having said that Naruto once again drew forth some power from nature in order to continue playing with water.

He was currently learning to use magic to make shapes and small sculptures with water to fine tune his control. Suffice to say he was failing admirably.

"Well, there seems to be some sort of shortcut for chakra users to quickly use their jutsu. Magic users on the other hand have to either understand the science of what their trying to do or manually manipulate magic to achieve what they want. It is interesting to note that quantity seems to be the reason why mages are extinct today." Nyx was despite never learning anything more than the basics in spells of any sort is still a prodigy of the highest caliber.

Irritated at his lack of success for the last 5 hours since lunch time, Naruto couldn't help but say

"Well if it makes you feel better we wouldn't be doing this if I could still use chakra"

Years of repeating this line had taken the edges off Nyx conscience so she settled with inducing a headache in Naruto's admittedly thick head. The corrupted energy of the fallen angel had been a problem for Naruto. Besides casting havoc with his chakra coils, his body could not developed properly as his chakra which normally sustains his body became almost unusable. He couldn't even summon his chakra without damaging the fourth's seal aloong with his own health.

"At least you have me to teach you a little bit of magic. Though I will leave you to make your own elemental spells I am still a kitsune and deception is the key to my skills."

"So when are you going to teach me those cool Genjutsu."

Sighing the kitsune told Naruto " What did I say the last time you asked me that, ohh I don't know say two days ago. "

"I need to learn how people tick first before I can use my illusions to trick them since it is illusions and not genjutsu. Man I hate that"

Naruto having given up his last exercise had decided to warp back to his house. Pulling in magic he focus on the book and perform something only the toads and the Fourth has ever once again thanking whatever deity that made the old man give him that isolated house where his daily disappearance would likely avoid detection. Going into the kitchen he quickly made a few ham sandwiches and a jug of lemonade.

" Now we are going to go through the list of possible elemental summons and I need you to give me a reason for choosing any combination of them." Nyx had largely out of guilt and also out of pity tried to make up the damage she inadvertently caused to Naruto by teaching him magic among other things since Naruto and most of his children would never be able to use chakra again. This serves as a blessing in disguise as chakra which naturaly rejects and dilutes magic is never going to interfere with Naruto's casting since only the use of chakra or life force will affect one's magic or that was what Nyx said in order to try to feel better. That said even with his higher than average physique, a magic powered body which can only be achieved through extreme meditation to lock up one's chakra will never compare with chakra users.

" Before I start I was wondering can I make you an elemental familiar. Since you don't have a body if I use your teachings as a catalyst I could call you for a short while outside the seal." This was said in a single breath and as quickly as possible by Naruto.

For a short while the only response he got was silence as Nyx contemplated on his words.

" You know that doesn't sound like a bad idea. Although my powers would be limited to only illusions as I never got the time to develop in other areas (Not like that you perverts). Still why not go ahead and try to find a way to get me out of this seal." Grinning Nyx remembered her mothers favorite and most important lesson. " you know I could teach you how to make a homunculus and you can summon me into that so I would never need to come back into the seal again."

"A homuncu what now." You don't even need me to tell you who this is.

" A fake body. Normally this body will be inferior to a real one, so no matter how bad ass you are you can never create a perfect body." Naruto felt his spirit drop with that remark, a blight when compared with his usual behavior. Nyx sensing this quickly said "But we elementals have a neat trick concerning anything related to a physical body. Let me try to recover some of my memories first before I tell you more. So anyway please tell answer my question since we don't have all day." The last sentence flew out of her mouth with an exasperated huffed. After all wouldn't you be in the same position if you had to teach an 8th year old child something for five hours straight.

With a 6th sense on how not to make a woman angry or annoyed Naruto quickly took the hint and continued on with his lesson" At any rate there are wind summons which..."

A/N no peeking. Wait until it becomes relevant in the later chapters first. I'm so mean aren't I

Muahahahahahahah (want to make it longer but who cares.)

" So what do you think about Naruto. Ehh Ibiki"

The Hokage was having a consultation with his head of Interrogation. They were discussing a problem rarely faced in this military village.

" Psst. What is there to say the boy sure loves to put people down. It's been one month since the start of the school year and none of the academy instructors could do anything to Naruto. Since he never even step foot into the academy it makes sense that he is according to the laws still a civilian. And he rubs it in the face of any one who tries to get him into the Academy."

" You know what I mean Ibiki. What is the most likely way we can use to get Naruto into the academy before the school ends this year. Even I'm not daft enough to ignore the fact that every year Naruto escapes the academy would only reinforce his stance on attending the thing."

One month into the school year and Naruto had never step foot into the compound. Even when some of the instructors went out to find him all they could do was to be verbally beaten by an eight year old. Sarutobi just took another puff from his pipe.

" With all respect sir I'm starting to question the benefits and wisdom of your decision."

" Please continue."

" Naruto-san seems to show signs of being physically weaker than a shinobi along with having no chakra accessible." Grimacing at the inquiring look from The Professor face Ibiki continued. " Naruto touched some chakra conducive metal yet even I, an expert sensor was not able to detect any chakra emission. Even if we got him into the academy the question would be what would he be able ot do without any chakra if I am right and Naruto has a sub par physical stats compared to an average ninja's child."

" True. You make a valid point but I know of Naruto's handicap. A side effect of the seal was Jiraya's diagnosis. Although I have to say that what plans we have for Naruto would be top secret."

Knowing what the Sandaima was hinting at, Ibiki wisely shut up.

" So what would it take for us to get Naruto into the academy then Ibiki."

" A reason outside of power or self-arrogance." Getting a nod from the Third he continued. " Naruto seems to have a aversion of power and responsibility. Any thing that keeps him tied up with work and duties he naturally tends to avoid. He also has no need to prove himself so we can't take advantage of that. The only way I could think of would be to either bribe him or force him into a situation where he has to accept the offer."

With a wave of his hand the Hokage dismissed Ibiki as a blond man step out from the shadows.

" Well" said Inoichi "he came to a similar conclusion like me I guess."

The Hokage inhaled a large lungful of smoke as Inoichi sat down in a chair.

" I want your daughter to try to befriend our jinchuriki while you and Fugaku will work together to find a way to get Naruto into the academy as soon as possible."

Inoichi merely got up and as he was walking towards the door said.

" Hokage-sama I need to know, would you prefer Ibiki's plan or mine."

Drawing a deep breath from his pipe the Third said" The one where he becomes loyal to the village."

" I see. And my daughter, a spy I presume."

Inoichi left, already knowing the answer.

"This is it my Lord" the Hyuga Anbu placed within Konoha's Black ops delivered a message to the current Hyuga Head.

" So it seems that he would seem to sacrifice one to save the many. Pathetic" Hiashi said this while crumbling the last minutes to the private meeting between the Hokage, Inoichi and Danzo. He thanked whatever gods that watches over the clan that the only Anbu privy to the meeting was a Hyuga with a conscience. Though it took days for him to safely deliver it he knew that the wait was worth it.

Within that letter was the plans to subvert the jinchuriki into a shinobi that was obsessed over the village hidden in the leaves. One of their projects was to place the boy into a team filled with hopeless genins. Hoping that the narutally small life span of theses small fry would cause some sort of survivor's guilt within the poor boy.

" What has this village become." He looked out of the window as he remembered his childhood days that were filled with innocence. "To breed savages capable of doing this."

With a subdued word he dismissed the Anbu. While he pondered on the 'demon child'. The clan was nothing more than one big extended family and even with the caged bird seal it is unheard of for someone to actually use it. Even the seal was deactivated upon entering active ninja service, though the dead man trigger wasn't disabled. Is it truly so hard to see that the greatest law of the clan was family first, village second.

"Naruto" Hiashi pondered on what they wanted to do " Why must fate be a bitch about you. On one hand with have the village elders who would like nothing more than make you a shinobi loyal to the village to the point of insanity. Than there are those who frequently forgets the fact that you are one. Never let it be said that we Hyuga's are blind to the intricacies of politics."

He looked at the picture of his wife, Hitomi along with his two daughters and himself. The picture showed a bluennete holding a baby in her arms with her husband and older daughter at her side. The only picture with all the members of his family in one photo.

Hiashi smiled as he remembered how much Hitomi hated child abuse and had strived to help Naruto wherever she could . It was for that reason alone that he continued to support the child from the sidelines. True his hands were tied before he could do anything serious but it still does not make him hopeless.

Chuckling to himself he went over some of his plans for his eldest daughter's birthday party, knowing that for now there was nothing he could do sighing as his failure in getting Naruto away from the influence of the shinobi council his mood dropping slightly .

Kiba was having the time of his life. Dropping and weaving past his sister's nindogs he feinted with a punch and while Hana was distracted his own partner, Akamaru landed a Passing Fang on her. Despite the handicap given to him by Hana, where she would withhold from using any Jutsu, he still was very good for an academy student.

Tsume and her cousin Rotu was having a cup of tea while watching Tsume's two children spar against each other. While the two of them were identical in personality and interest. Rotu had long blond and most of all wavy hair. Both of them had nearly the exact same style of fighting. Though being the daughter of a yamanaka as well as a inuzuka meant that Rotu has a larger repository of techniques.

" My my Kiba sure has grown a lot." Rotu was carefully observing Kiba's spar as part of a favor for Tsume. Even though Kiba is considered a prodigy any jutsu he used is still weaker due to his age. Tsume knowing this has come to the conclusion that the only thing Kiba could improve on in the meantime would be his skill in making strategies.

"If we had to train Kiba in strategy how would you go about it Rotu." Rotu winced as one of Hana's hay makers landed solidly onto Kiba's sternum. Subsequently she answered after a few moments of thinking.

"Kiba seems to be the more up close and personal type. If I have a choice I say the only form of thinking skills you could train him with would be tactics and not strategy." She paused for a moment for emphasis before elaborating.

" Kiba despite his skills does not seem to be able to think ahead. Consider tactics and strategy like how many moves you plan ahead in Go. If Kiba can plan 5 steps ahead than we can plan 70 steps ahead and a genius like Shikaku could plan 200 steps ahead. That is considering Kiba's personality a best estimate. Though as a bonus he can plan all 5 moves in only a moment's notice with the right training. So my advice would be to cancel any new attempts at mastering jutsus and work on that skill while he is still young."

Tsume only considers this silently while looking at her youngest child, one she hoped to be a future Hokage.

(^'.'^)

" So then what about the plans for the clan's purification"

"It is proceeding quite smoothly, we will be able to complete it in a few years"

"You better hope it doesn't fail, Shisui"

"Of course not."

(^'.'^)