Play Pretend

Summary: What if the Ninjas Coddled Naruto, only the villagers hated him? What if the Clan leaders played tug-o-war to get Naruto solo (not like that you perverts!) What if the Rookie 9 were only wearing masks?

Ages from the attack of Kyuubi

Uchiha Fugaku – 26 (Itachi's and Sasuke's dad) (canon)

Uchiha Mikoto – 20 (Itachi's and Sasuke's mom) (canon)

Uchiha Itachi – 5

Uchiha Sasuke – 5 mos.

Nara Shikato – 24 (Shika's dad) (Almost canon)

Nara Masaki – 23 (Shika's mom) (My OC)

Nara Shikamaru – 9 mos.

Inuzuka Hana – 4

Inuzuka Goumaru – 26 (Kiba's dad) (My OC)

Inuzuka Tsume – 23 (Kiba's mom) (Don't know her name)

Inuzuka Kiba – 9 ½mos.

Aburame Shibi – 27 (Shino's dad) (canon)

Aburame Takemi – 19 (Shino's mom) (my OC)

Aburame Shino – 10 mos.

Hyuuga Hiashi – 26 (Hinata's and Hanabi's dad)

Hyuuga Hizashi – 26 (Neji's dad)

Hyuuga Hisami – 19 (Hinata's and Hanabi's mom) (My OC)

Hyuuga Naotoko – 21(Neji's mom) (My OC)

Hyuuga Neji – 1 1/2

Yamanaka Inoichi – 24 (Ino's dad)

Yamanaka Nabiki – 21 (Ino's mom) (My OC)

Yamanaka Ino – 3 mos.

Haruno Izumi – 26 (Sakura's dad) (My OC)

Haruno Sasuki – 20 (Sakura's mom)

Haruno Sakura – 5 ½ mos.

Akemichi Choumaru – 24

Akemichi Hane – 22 (Chouji's mom)

Akemichi Chouji – 6 mos.

Shikontama Tenran – 36 (Tenten's dad) (Seen this name used a lot of times)

Shikontama Tenten – 1.56 mos.

Kazama Arashi – 26

Kazama Uzumaki Sasami – 23

Rock Lee – 1.86 (Don't care for the parents…)

Chap.1 The Day After, A Journal Entry

"Sarutobi, we should decide which clan we should be house him. It's important for his bloodline and to also teach him the "Will of Fire"(1)!" Uchiha Fugaku shouted in determination.

It was the day after the attack of the Kyuubi no Kitsune. The village, well the outer village is mostly torn into shambles. Most id not all of the non-ninja occupants of Konoha were greatly affected.

Shinobi Clan heads gathered to decide the fate of the fox vessel. The shinobis populace all had heard the Yondaime's last wishes.
Flashback

"My Soldiers, this child which I hold is our hero. The one that will carry the greatest burden bestowed upon us, mortal men. He shall contain the Youkai Emperor, Kyuubi no Kitsune. May you all see him as the hero he truly is." Then he tapped the head of the Boss Toad, Gamabunta. Only to return as a corpse tightly holding the jinchuuriki no Kyuubi no Kitsune. If someone was to look closely you could tear tracks on his deathly pale cheeks.
End Flashback

The Child was adorable. Kunoichi of various ages and ninja statuses fussed over not one but eight children all in one age group.

(A/N: I'm not sure if this is the right ages so correct me if I'm wrong ok?)

The eldest being the heir of the Aburame, Aburame Shino. Next was the Inuzuka scion, Inuzuka Kiba being the only male heir born into the head family, he'll most likely to be the head just like the packs of wolves. The next was Nara Shikamaru heir to the deer herder clan, Nara. Yamanaka Ino was next, the heir to the almost extinct clan of mind controllers. Uchiha Sasuke, the second child of Uchiha Fugaku , head of the Uchiha clan was next. Haruno Sakura was the only child of Haruno Izumi, leader of the Hokage's personal ANBU unit, Zodiac. Akemichi Chouji, heir to the clan of big-boned ninjas. And finally Kazama Ryousuke the jinchuuriki no Kyuubi no Kitsune, son of the late Yondaime Hokage, Kazama Arashi's and Kazama Uzumaki Sasami's only son as both has passed away.

Sasami died of birth complications; as soon as Ryousuke was born and held him she breathed her last breath, letting the father name him.

But back to the present, there were also elder children running about inside the room. Uchiha Itachi 1st born son of Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto, heir to the Uchiha Clan. Umino Iruka son of Umino Suzuki, second in command of Zodiac and Umino Hoshigaki Reimi, a former Kiri Nin and is the aunt of Hoshigaki Kisame, who was also one of the children running about in the Nursery. Matarashi Anko daughter of Matarashi Orochimaru. Rock Lee, Shikontama Tenten and Hyuuga Neji.

But know this, this Nursery isn't in one of the Clan houses but is the Compound of the Sarutobi Clan, and is also the abode of the current Hokage, Sarutobi Sasuke (2). The whole compound was composed of Japanese Castles and believe it or not they are in the middle of Area 44, The Forest of Death. Being that the Sarutobi as are very closely knitted with nature due to their summoning contract with the apes. The Compound is being guarded by 24 ANBU units including ROOT Danzo's, the councilor and former teammate of the Sandaime Hokage personal ANBU Unit. Outside the Nursery was Konoha's TOP jounins, Hatake Kakashi, Matarashi Yamato (3), Morino Ibiki, Shiranui Genma and Gekyou Hayate.

And remember this; the Nursery room is full of full-fledged kunoichis. Now, how's THAT for security. (A/N: Wait before you rant, I'll explain later as to why the security is so tight. (Evil laugh.))
Back to the Nursery

"How cute!" Yamanaka Nabiki squealed as she saw her daughter and her best friend's daughter Sakura acting like a pair of dotting aunts to Ryousuke. Who, for all their curiosity didn't squirm, fidget or cry of annoyance. But instead was giggling and squealing.

"Weird, he's not acting normal for a normal child. It's like he knows that those two are dotting on him." The pregnant Hyuuga Hisami queried.

"Actually its one of his bloodlines." Rika the female councilor of the Hokage. "I took care of Sasami when she was born. In just a few days she was already playing toys those 3 year olds just starting to even try to understand. It's in his blood to be a fast learner." She ended her speech rocking Ryousuke a little more before settling him down with the rest of the babies that all had waited for him to be put down by the old lady. It's like they already have formed a group, like they could understand. (A/N: I used to REEAALLY like the RUGRATS! Weren't they all SOO cute?!)

But one baby though wanted to be near to Ryousuke but looked like he didn't have enough courage to do so. But what's even weirder is that it was like he had a permablush on his cheeks. What's more, is that little Ryousuke looked well… smug. Uchiha Mikoto looked at her second son; it wasn't like her son to be so shy.

"Can anybody get me Tsunade-sama? I think that something's wrong with Sasuke." Mikoto said as she picked upped her son.

One of the Kunoichis then went out of the Nursery and came back with Tsunade tailing behind.

She looked at the younger Uchiha, she had a weird look in her eyes. 'Hmmm…Weird' she thought as she looked at Ryousuke. 'Even weirder. These things don't show up so early. I know he's already mentally mature but this? And both of them?' "I'm going out for a while I need to check something…" she left the room dazed and went straight to the Hokage's Private Library where she had access being a sannin and all that shit.

She quickly leafed through a book titled "Soul mates: Clarified"

"…1st signs of 2 beings as soul mates are that it shows at a young age. In not just most cases but of all cases is that soul mates meet immediately after a birth of both beings. Meaning the 2 mostly has met at a young age."

"2nd is that when both are prolonged in each others presence is that they show more signs that show who will be dominant."

"The submissive will be shy towards the more dominant one. The dominant being smug or somewhat egoistical…"

She quickly left the library and tried to find Orochimaru. She knew her snaky teammate would know something a about this unusual occurrence…

"Orochimaru-kun can you follow me to the Nursery?" Tsunade asked when he found Orochimaru talking to the Anbus posted on the gates of the compound.

"Why Tsu-chan? Is something wrong with the Little Prince (4)?" If Orochimaru was frantic he didn't show it but the Anbus stationed near them were.

"No nothings wrong with Ryou-chan but there is this small unusual occurrence that's happening as we speak." Tsunade still had a contemplating look on her face.

"What?" now Orochimaru was starting to show hysterical and the Anbu around them seemed tense and was ready to either sprint towards the Nursery or go running to the Clanhead's meeting room to inform them.

"You do still know that peculiar jutsu we've found in the ruins in the destroyed Hidden Village of the Sun right?" she asked knowing fully well that Orochimaru would never forget a single technique in his life even if it's useless in a battle.

"Yes, I still remember it perfectly Soul: Link Search why?" now instead of being hysterical about it he looked calm like cucumber. And with a curious expression on his face saying that he was quite well… curious.

"The jutsu does entail that it can search out links of the soul specifically soul mates, right?"

"Yes quite so. It was verified as a fact when I tested it on Arashi once with Sasami." Tsunade had a crazy look on her. "Hey, don't look at me like that. I don't do those things anymore! I've already quitted even before they were married and I did it after their marriage." Well it almost worked but Tsunade still bonked Orochimaru on the head.

They both started to walk back to the Nursery but not before they dismissed the Anbus and told them to go back to their spots.

"It seems that Uchiha Sasuke 2nd heir to the Uchiha clan is showing the signs of prolonged presence of his significant other. And it's also the fact that our Little Prince (4) is looking quite smug while looking at the direction of Sasuke-kun."

"Hmmm… Interesting… well the statistics are already very high since they have shown signs of prolonged exposure to each other. Might as well use the jutsu to confirm it." They then walked back to the Nursery. The jounins outside the room quickly sent massive killer intent. There was a seal placed on everyone on their hitae-ate to block all forms of killer intent as per a precautionary.

When the door opened to the Nursery everyone had a weapon stuck out as a second precautionary. They all replaced their weapons back into their holsters and got back to what they were doing, like nothing happened.

They went to the crowding group of children who for all of everyone of the kunoichis curiosity just wouldn't hold up with the fusing over the baby.

"Daddy!" Anko quickly rushing up to her father, Orochimaru.

"The baby's special isn't he? Isn't he?" she enthusiastically tugged the outfit of her father's sleeve.

Now they had an inkling on why they were fussing over the baby.

"What do you mean Anko-chan?" Tsunade sweetly asked the 5 year old child.

"He's been talking to all of us and even Itachi-kun's little brother is talking and we all know that it's impossible for somebody so young to talk like we learned. And to also help others establish communication with us when clearly that it he's performing the impossible. And I sorta recognize the jutsu I'm not just sure if it is because from what I read it takes a lot of chakra control and is used in medical-nins and torture experts." She answered immediately to her godmother. They weren't quite surprised she did inherit her father's brains after all while Yamato got everything that she didn't have.

"Well… this is surprising." They peeked to the baby and saw a chakra shield around them. It was distinctive since they felt the boy's chakra just yesterday when Kyuubi's soul was sucked inside of him.

They then approached and noticed that the shield was quickly pulled down with no whatsoever effort. They then proceeded to pick up Naruto and Sasuke. Tsunade naturally grabbed Ryousuke as she knew that even though Orochimaru's been a father doesn't mean he knows how to handle a newly born child. Making Orochimaru pick up Sasuke.

Then creating a shadow clone, Tsunade2 plucked Sasuke out of Orochimaru's arms.

Orochimaru then started to move his hands at lightning fast speed. Light shot to both children.

They glowed for a few seconds. Then red, blue and green light emanated from them like the sun almost going blind at the same time making a myriad of beautiful colors but it wasn't a rainbow it was more beautiful that you can't even name it.

"Wow! I've read this kind of result and still it's… Wow…" Orochimaru was completely breathless. Unable to think properly but was still stunned at the beauty of light that shone from the two boys.

"What does it mean Oro-kun?" Tsunade with her curiosity piqued up since she has never seen her teammate in such a daze ever since he and Liria had Yamato and Anko.

"The colors symbolize different things and when they shine together it's a whole level different. Red means they were meant to be together in the future. Blue would mean they have a potential to be soul-bonded but aren't born soul mates. Green signifies that an unbreakable friendship bond but still not a soul mate bond. A Combination signifies a true soul mate bond ever since birth. Other colors signify more but we don't have much time." Orochimaru explained, while picking up Sasuke. Tsunade2 poofed out of existence

"Tsu-chan you do know what this means right?" Orochimaru looked quite pleased. Not that evil pleased that you'll find in the canon series not that they know.

Tsunade was smiling pleasantly. Soul mates are greatly loved and respected by all. The matrimony of a pair is an event that many would love to attend. Myths and legends made many a countries believe that soul mates are the ones that started all bloodlines. As most pairs of soul mates are very powerful beings from the start.

They returned the two boys back to the other children.

They both could feel it. These children shall one day make Konoha proud. Already Kisame was being trained by the Kiri Shinobigatana Nananin Shu to be the leader of their next generation.

Itachi was already enrolled in the academy and is the best of this batch even though his other classmates were at least 3 years older than him.

Iruka was being trained by his parents but sadly they were killed by the Kyuubi along with many others as such he's already well versed in Kenjutsu styles of the Mist. They predicted that if ever he wants to become a shinobi of the Mist. Many of jounins think he'll be quickly accepted into the Kiri Shinobigatana Nananin Shu.

Then there was Anko already she's mastered many of her father's snake jutsus. She also seemed to have an affinity for using poisons and is showing quite a bit of promise in being a Torture and Interrogations officer. And of course there's a reason for everyone as to why they strive so hard. She just wants to find one of her friends. You see to save her life her father was forced to give her the cursed seal when she was younger. Her mother Liria gave consent to her husband to use the curse seal on her two babies if there was ever a need. It was one of her final words before she died of a virus that was in a form of a poison that didn't have an antidote. Somehow it passed down to her only daughter. It seemed that she had a foresight that it would happen and so gave her husband permission. He could've done the same to his wife but unfortunately she was too far and too deep in her illness that even the cursed seal could never save her. After all in the medical field only one kind of poison can destroy another one. Back to the topic a former colleague of her father experimented on her best friend Isarabi and Isonade the three tailed shark was force sealed into her. The man ran away with her best friend and now she wants her back.

The two gazed at the children as our views as readers fade away.
Back to the Meeting Room…

"It's important for him to hone his skills at an early age. He should be taken in by one of our clans." Fugaku was persistent on the topic.

"And which pray tell, clan should house him then?" Hyuuga Hiashi asked. He was mad, no Pissed off, no that wasn't right just to be more specific… HE WAS READY TO COMMIT BLOODY MURDER!

The civilians were just fucking begging to be killed. They had the guts to hire foreign shinobi just hours after the announcement of the sealing and fucking hired 10 A Rank jounin Missing nins to assassinate one helpless baby!

They took advantage of the guard shifts that night. But unluckily for them the Hyuuga twins Hiashi and Hizashi decided they would take care of the child for the night. Seeing as both already had taken care of Neji before whenever Naotoko was away on a mission.

They saw the men and after one Hyuuga kinjutsu later…

Well let's just say grotesque and bloody…

"Well the Uchiha's should." Fugaku boldly stated.

The Clan heads were all stunt at Fugaku's bold statement.

"We ARE the Konoha Police Force after all. We could certainly protect him and train him to protect Konoha's legacy." He continued.

Then…

ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE!

Arguments flying off the mouths of each clanhead.

Soonkunais, shuriken and jutsus started flying.

Then Hokage used the Genjutsu World of Darkness (5)

Then they came out of the meeting room.

Wet, muddy, clothes singed, was torn in some places and some of them have their hair standing on edge.

The decision was an orphanage…

February 25, 2973(6)

As far as I could remember I've always gone to training field 7 to well… train.

Hiashi-tousan and Hizashi-otooji along with Fugaku-tousan, Izumi-tousan, Goumaru-tousan, Inoichi-otooji, Choumaru-otooji, Shikato-tousan, Shibi-tousan and Tenran-tousan I've always been trained by them with my 'family'.

My brothers and sisters aren't related to me by blood but we consider ourselves as siblings.

Aburame Shino, Akemichi Chouji, Haruno Sakura, Hyuuga Hinata, Hyuuga Hanabi, Inuzuka Kiba, Inuzuka Hana, Nara Shikamaru, Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Sasuke and Yamanaka Ino.

We would go to training area 10 well to… train.

But after training, we would play.

The people that would sometimes help us train would listen to us play. Yes listen. We play musical instruments. Not playing tag and the likes.

The girls were incredible singers. Hanabi would play the piano, Hinata would play the violin, Sakura a harp and Ino a flute. Itachi played the violin. Me, Iruka, Sasuke, Kiba and Shikamaru were guitarists and were the main singers in the group. Chouji could play any kind of piano and Shino was our drummer. Sometimes I would play all the instruments because they would "accidentally" make mistakes but I know it's just their excuses so that I would play. Even though everybody could also play almost all instruments its just I was better is all.

All the people that would watch or listen would say I was a musical prodigy.

We were always a family Hinata my little sister. We were all brothers and sisters. But only me and Sasuke weren't but I wont' discuss that until later.

No one could beat us, in music or combat. We were on par with the greatest orchestras with the use of Kage bunshin for each of us and with the Sannins.

We were all there when the Uchiha Massacre. It just so happened that Fugaku-tousan couldn't come to their training because of a meeting within the clan.

Sasuke and Itachi invited us over for dinner. They said Mikoto had been itching to cook for everyone.

When we got there, bodies littered the streets. They saw "Itachi" killing another of their relatives. But we thought Itachi's right here with us, so who's that guy? Turns out to be Uchiha Shishui. We killed him as a sign of vengeance for the ones that died that night. He must've faked his death we all thought. Fugaku and Mikoto were still alive and saw the whole as they were under a sleeping genjutsu. They were greatly surprised that Shishui would go as far as kill everyone in their whole clan.

The Hokage then ordered him to go undercover and infiltrate a growing threat called "Akatsuki" making him an S-class missing nin but not after announcing that he was the one that killed the whole Uchiha clan making another S-class secret.

Since then we hid under an illusion that not only hid our true emotions but controlled our actions.

Our masks were set. Indifference, shy, loud, quiet, snob, etc. (A/N: You know their attitudes in the anime!)

Until the Hokage ties 3 specific a yellow ribbon his wrist or anybody for that matter and wave it in a pattern and uttered the password. But until then we would hide.

And now I miss the old Sasuke. This mask I'm wearing was the one I chose because it reminded me of him. Only he was asking me for dates not Sakura though and was smarter too.

Feb. 25, 2973

Kazama Ryousuke

(1)He's not being Gai-ish. It's just that the Will of Fire is the true meaning of being a Konoha Shinobi.

(2)They say it's his real name.

(3)He was experimented on by Orochimaru in the series and manga, so it said. But I like Orochimaru and he becomes the father of Anko and Yamato, who controls woods as his great-grandfather is the Shodaime Hokage.

(4)They see him as a little prince, who should be loved and protected.

(5)It' s the jutsu the Shodaime or the Nidaime used in their battle against Sandaime I just forgot the Japanese name.

(6)It's almost 1000 years from now. I see shinobi as by products of genetic enhancement that killed everyone in the face of the planet except for a few survivors that slowly learned the art of using chakra by combining century's old knowledge of China, India and other countries.