Disclaimer: Again I do not own Naruto nor Rurouni Kenshin, the story I have written is only for my own entertainment.

Author's notes: This story is a crossover between Naruto and Rurouni Kenshin. It is still a Naruto universe but with Rurouni Kenshin world merge to it. Though Kenshin's character is great but I find both Seta Sojiro and Hiko Seijuro more interesting, especially for what I had in mind for a samuari and Ninja crossover.

Prologue

In the early years of Naruto's life, like all orphan chidlren he lived in an orphanage. However, unlike others he was treated badly for reasons unknown to even himself. While not directly abused, he is often locked inside and restricted to step out of the building. At first he was obedient but later he wondered if he had done something wrong to warrent this kind of treatment.

Even as a child, they learn quickily by observing how other children were treated compared to him. He quickily deduced that he was somehow singled out from others for reasons they wouldn't tell him. Hence began his rebellion as he bid his time to sneak out himself without them knowing.

One day when the matron and carers were not looking he took his chance and sneaked out. He had never been outside the building before so everything is new to him. At his age, Naruto is a curious child and always wanted to explore the village.

While cooped-up in the orphanage he had often seen the Hokage monument, so he was quite excited he finally get the chance to see it in person. Also the children had often talked about the ninja academy where kids like them can learn to do cool stuff and there is also the Hokage building. Again there are so much he wanted to see and now he has all the time he wanted to see everything.

Having avoided the crowded main street he made his way through the side paths to avoid both the crowds and busy streets. He wanted to see everything before the care takers discovered his absence but he was willing to risk it for one day of freedom. Naruto may not know it at the time, but his decision came with a heavy price and life changing experience for him.

True enough that Konoha was no small village but a blond hair whisker child isn't exactly common neither. Especially once the boy turn around his whisker marks were immediately the attention to everyone's stares. Having wondering in the back streets, Naruto from time to time pop his head into the main streets to see the wonders of the Konoha shopping district. It didn't take long for someone in the crowds to spot him and knew who he was.

Then everything just fell into chaos as all villagers started throwing things his way. Not waiting to find out what he had done wrong, he legged it back into the alleys hoping to avoid the carnage. After some distance Naruto decides to turn around, he had hoped no-one would give chase but sadly he was wrong. Having no idea why everyone was coming his way, their bloodshot eyes scares him as well as the weapons they had in their hands. Everybody were screaming and shouting about some demon or bastard fox and one bottle came his way close to his whereabouts and he bolted.

Naruto just kept running, but was cut off when another group appear ahead of him. He isn't big enough to climb over some fence or building but found a small opening big enough for him to crawl through. Without second thoughts, he quickily pull himself through it. Just in time too as the village saw him about to get away and toss their knives his way. One butcher's cleaver hit where he just pull his legs from shocking Naruto. He didn't wait to see if anyone is able get past the fence or not as he quickily kept running. It was a good thing too because the villagers didn't gave-up as they try scaling over the wooden blockade that stopping them from their target. Had Naruto turn around it would have given him nightmares as the complete fence had villagers crawling over it just to get to him. Nevertheless, he made a great head start.

On the other side of the fence, the villagers all came together where the demon child was last seen. They were all angered that they were so close to finish what the Yondaime couldn't. It didn't take them long to see the hole the little demon disappear in but too small for a full grown adult to get through. Desperate for the only chance after 4 years of wait they all try going over the fence. Unfortunately the poor fence could not take complete weight of 40 adults climbing over it and fell over the others that got through. The first row that got over were surprised when the entire line of fence fell over crushing them beneath it. For that reason they lost track of the demon child.

Having escaped his pursuers he tried returning back to the orphanage only to found it locked. He had cried for his forgiveness and accept any punishment, even to never ever step out of the orphanage again. It was all for naught as no-one responded, not even a sound from other orphans.

Unknown to him, even his carers were scared because of him and only tolerated because of Hokage's orders. However, after his exposure to the village they wouldn't dare to take him back again hence they sealed every entrance and forbid anyone to leave saying that there is a demon in the village and the whole village were hunting it. Most orphanage carers were civilians thus they often hear what other villagers would do to the demon and find the demon lovers that hid it. Hence even against the Hokage wraith they were more scared of what their fellow neighbors would do to them had they knew they were the ones harboring the demon. Since Naruto had left on his own they could push the blame on him and pretend not to know about it.

Back to Naruto, after a while he end up sitting on the steps of the entrance. Sadly it was not a safe place for him, as it is an open space where everyone can see. It wasn't long later that someone spotted him and got everyone to chase him around the village. He had tried getting help from other villagers or even the ninjas patrolling the place. Unfortunately not only hadn't they helped they attacked him, kicking him away from them. The ninjas even threw weapons at him but luckily they missed.

Whether they were trying to scare him or trying to kill him, Naruto didn't care he wants to get away from all of them. He managed to lose them after ducking into a dark alley and under some houses later. It had been days since he had left the orphanage and stayed hidden all this time. He was hungry, thirsty and very exhausted. His last experience with the ninjas had frighten him and he wouldn't dare step out to be exposed again. On occasions he find left over bread and muddy water to sustain himself as he watches over the village. He had to move around in shadows to avoid everyone.

One day he caught a group of merchants entering the village and he immediately found his way out. In this village he couldn't feel safe anyway and hope to catch a ride as soon as possible.

Having looked into all karts he found one with hanging chains where he can grab on to and hide without being seen. It didn't take him long or hard to sneak under the kart without anyone looking as most karts were parked in the shades and away from the middle of the streets. While the merchant were busy loading and unloading supplies they wouldn't see or hear him going under their transport. Soon once everything were in order, the group left to travel to other villages.

Once they had left the gates without incident Naruto cheered internally, it was his first step to freedom. Just as he had anticipated no-one bothered to check beneath the kart nor anyone would care to look. However, what he didn't know was how long it takes to get to the next village. He had hoped to stay until the next village then quietly sneak away just as he had done in Konoha.

Without food or water Naruto was both tired and exhausted and eventually fell from where he was hanging causing the kart to stop. The family of merchant had thought something had fallen out and just to check only to find a dirty kid. They were very surprised at how a child end up middle of no-where because the last village was 2 days away. Naruto was very lucky the people he took a ride with were nice people as they nursed him back to health and shared with him their food and drink. They also didn't seem to mind how dirty he was and still helped him.

Days later he told them his little life story and how he end up beneath their kart. Not only did this family wasn't angry at him, the group all hugged him. It was the first time Naruto had received his first human contact and couldn't help but cried silently and later going loudly. Out of all people Naruto had met, only this family he found accepts him as a child that he is and they are not from Konoha. It makes his decision to leave the horrible village more assuring and without regard like he had with the orphanage.

As for Konoha, since that day the greatest village of Konoha had forever lost their protector and 3rd generation Uzumaki Jinchuriki. Konoha had became a shadow of themselves as they continue to delude themselves thinking they are still the strongest village. It was as if the heaven had left them as the sun was blocked and rained for a week. So whatever tracks the child left behind had long been washed away and never be tracked again. Too bad the village was still not aware of his disappearance and how important the last Uzumaki is to them. The Sandaime and the village should have put more efforts in securing his safety and happiness. As to this day the Hokage still thinks the blond boys is still living in the orphanage he entrusted to.

The strange weather phenomenal, the Hokage had dismissed it as the usual bad case of storm. Thanks to the new civilian council, he had been busy checking and signing their improvement forms for making the village a better place. He had thought they were a great addition as his village is getting bigger and better with them. Only problem he sees are the extra paperwork he gets because he had to go over all the details so they are within boundary of the laws in Konoha.

It wasn't until months later had the disappearance of the child finally discovered. Only then did the Hokage found out Naruto had been kicked out of the orphanage months prior. A full investigation had been carried out and find out where their Jinchuriki had disappeared to. Some ninjas had tried to slack off and just pretend to give a fake report but were quickly caught.

The ninjas that were involved with the attack wouldn't say anything, its better to keep their month shut then to draw attention. However, there were always something to find especially that day was filled with the chaos and aftermath. Some of the honest ninjas reported there were some ruckus around that time and suggested some ninjas may have saw something. After checking some names the said ninjas were interrogated seeing they had not replied immediately. As the head interrogator often says, "They all talk, it is just a matter of when."

Thanks to the new information, the Hokage found out what really happened that day. He remembered that abnormal downpour, he wondered if the blond child found some shelter or if he is still in Konoha. Did the boy died and the heaven weep? The Sandaime did not believe he would have died so easily because there was no body.

Immediately he deployed all his best ninjas as well as trackers in hopes to find him. Whether he is in the village or outside, he should at least get some information. Unfortunately, thanks to the downpour the Hokage knew there is very little chance of finding anything.

He prayed Naruto is still in Konoha and only in hiding. Unlike Konoha, the world outside is no place for a 4 year old. However, thanks to the full investigation on his desk, put together by his most trusted ninjas. The Sandaime couldn't help but felt he had failed.

The investigation itself is another problem as he found his ninjas purposely undermine his authority. They gave him false reports in hope to divert the case or hiding key elements in the information. Unfortunately for them, as the Hokage had issued a full investigation thus more then one team were on the job. Thus, with multiple reports coming in the village leader is able to find all the discrepancies.

For this reason the Hokage ordered an additional investigation within another to get to the bottom of this treachery. It delayed the original investigation because they needed to know who's report is to be trusted. Either way, the Hokage did not like the result he wonder since when had his village and ninjas fell so low as to treat a child so badly. Sadly the entire investigation took many weeks going into months before conclusion.

Once all the reports were correctly filed he was both shocked and ashamed of his own village. Conclusion was, there were many resentments on his decision not to execute the child and everyone were just bidding their time. Waiting for the demon to show it face and they will finish it off before anyone has the chance to stop them.

Having caught many and have them interrogated, the Sandaime knew they were not remorseful to what they had done. They all felt justified and vowed to finished what the Yondaime could not. Four years of time had not extinguish their anger, nor had they forgotten that tragedy instead it fueled them more. Unfortunately the source of their anger was no other than the last Uzumaki and son of his successor.

Slowly the Hokage sat himself down, he wondered if the gods too had left them and aided in the child's departure. Days passed into weeks and into months, to his disappointment his ninjas gave him the bad news. With tracks so old they were near impossible to follow, especially on a widely used road where new tracks were common on daily basis. Not even a single clue to be found, the search went on for days to weeks but everyone returned empty handed. Many had even went into nearby villages for their searches, but non seen the blond haired whisker child nor anyone matching his description neither.

The Sandaime slowly nodes in understanding, it would be no surprise to him. Naruto had months head start, if lucky he could be anywhere in the nation, if not the Hokage didn't want to think about it. Seeing how he lived and first impression into the village was like, no doubt anywhere but here is a better place. Sighed in defeat, there is not much he can do in the meantime. Before dismissing his forces he told them to keep an eye out for the blonde only this time there would be no retrieval order. He did have to inform the child's godfather and perhaps he can find something.

In a village as big as Konoha, a lost child should not be such a great deal that would concern a leader such as the Hokage. However, this child was no mere child. In fact he is both the legacy of his successor and the last member of his clan. Not only had the Hokage failed him he had also failed the village and what it stood for.

Naruto is not just the 4th's son, he is also the heir to the Uzumaki clan. Not only had they had a hand in creation of Konohagakure they were also cousins to the Senju due to marriage. The village honored them by using their clan insignia as base for the new village, thus creation of the symbol every Konoha ninja have on their headbands. In addition not to forget where they came from they put the Uzumaki Spiral on all their jackets.

It symbolizes eternal friendship between both the village and the Uzumaki clan. Unfortunately, over time and since Uzushiogakure destroyed, no-one in the village seem to recognize it anymore. For a child with such background willingly to leave their village, it was an omen to the "Wills of Fire". The Hokage can only keep sighing as he recall all the hardships his sensei had to endure to get Konoha to this day.

Sadly as leader of the village the Sandaime had to keep what he knew to himself. Should the importance of the child be known now, the village could self-destruct on itself. Not only because of guilt, every client and lords will never trust in the village again. Naruto Uzumaki is not only important, he is also royalty and last head of the Uzumaki and its nation.

As leader of his village, it shall be his burden to take this to his grave and let the rest of the village live their own lives freely. He will eventually have to answer for his failings, and he will not make any excuses. All he can do now is pray that Naruto is both safe and happy out there. He doubt he will see the boy again this life, even if he does there is just isn't enough apologies enough to make it all better again. Since then, the Hokage was never the same again and never smiles anymore for he carries both the guilt and shame of his village.