Hey everyone this is my first fic and to try and make enjoyable for everyone I'm open to constructive criticism to improve later on.

This is an AU and not a crossover, only Styles from Ruroni Kenshin will be used.

As a warning other aspects that are going to be changed are as follows Character Deaths and a few gender changes but those won't come till later. Also there are OC's in this and OOC.

As for Pairings maybe later but not now.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Rurouni Kenshin I am merely writing a story for entertainment purposes.

Chapter 1

In the village of Konoha a small child was running, fear evident in his eyes. Rounding corner after corner he tried desperately to lose the mob that was giving chase.

Coming to an unknown part of town the grip on the child's teddy bear tightened. Growing desperate as the voices of the mob grew louder he rounded another corner only to wind up in a dead end.

Turning around trying to escape the confines of the alley he came face to face with his pursuers.

"Thought you could outrun us eh monster?" said a rather grisly looking brandishing a mean looking club.

Scared out of his mind, not knowing what to do, the child did the first that came to mind; he curled up into a ball and hugged his teddy bear and began to sob.

Quietly waiting for the inevitable he couldn't help but wonder 'why'. Suddenly he was drawn out of his thoughts when he heard silent murmurs from the crowd, he couldn't hear all of it the only part he caught was the word sword. When suddenly one of the voices spoke up.

"Get out of the way." It wasn't a statement so much as a command.

"And why should we?" The voice was nervous.

"You're blocking the entrance." The voice sounded annoyed by this point.

Curious now the child took a chance and peaked at the entrance the stranger was talking about. Further down the alley the child could make out a sign and an entrance upon closer inspection the sign had the word "Bar" on it.

Chancing a glance at the crowd in the alley now the child saw that people were making way for someone, a newcomer emerged from the group, the first thing the child noticed about him was the sword on his belt. Now terrified the child did not realize he began to shake, retreating back to darkness behind his arms he began to sob even louder.

Looking at the pathetic sight before him the man couldn't help but feel sorry for the kid. The child was dressed in a shirt that couldn't even be called a hand me down, dirt stains riddled it as well as multiple tears. His shorts didn't seem to be any better with rips everywhere, as it stood they didn't seem like they could last through the week. The child didn't even have any shoes his feet were poorly wrapped in bandages. The child himself looked like he was malnourished with so much dirt and grime on him it was hard to tell what color his skin was.

Looking at the crowd and the shaking child the man couldn't help but think 'this village hit a new time low'.

"Hey kid." The man said.

Chancing one more peek the child saw that the new man was talking to him. Almost immediately after the glance the child went back to hiding his face.

Seeing the child hide again the man began to think 'Great the kids terrified… then again I can't blame him' as he was thinking this the man began looking at the crowd in the alley, most had a look of confusion as to what was going on here while some still had a malicious glint in there eyes. 'Who the hell is supposed to be taking care of the kid' the man let out a sigh as he thought this. He hated these kinds of situations; he just wanted to get his job done and start heading home.

"Hey kid you hungry?" This time the man's tone was softer.

The child, now curious, looked at the man completely. As if to give the answer without talking the child's stomach growled. Blushing, the child a small nod of his head.

"Well this place has some decent food come on I'll buy you something." As the man finished his sentence he turned to gauge the crowd's reaction. Almost immediately the crowd let out gasps and murmurs could be heard. One of the ones next to him spoke up.

"Your obviously new here if your showing sympathy to that little demon over there, so let me give you some friendly advice stranger don't put your nose where it don't belong." The pudgy little man tried to sound as threatening as he could.

The man completely ignoring him started to approach the child. Seeing this, the child started to shake slightly and the fear began coming back to him. Upon reaching the child the man bent down slowly and put his hand on the child's back. The child's automatic response was to flinch.

"Come on now I'm not going to hurt you." The man's tone was as soft as he could make it.

The child now looking at the man couldn't figure out why someone was being so nice to him. 'Is he trying to trick me, but aren't they already going to hurt me? Why are they going to trick and hurt that would be dumb? Maybe he is going to buy me something.' His thoughts were interrupted when the crowd decided not to stand idly by anymore.

"I warned you to stay out of this stranger." The pudgy little man said as he and the rest of the crowd began to approach the two.

Winking at the kid the man stood up and turned around. The child looked at the strangers back curious as to what would happen. Hearing gasps from the crowd the child changed his attention to them what he amazed him, the looks on there faces was similar to that of a terrified animal.

"Go home." It was a simple statement, but the tone behind the child had never heard before. It scared him, the man was talking to him nicely just a while ago and now he sounded scarier than all the villagers put together.

The villagers followed the man's command and began backing off slowly, scared that a wrong move would anger the man more than needed to be. When the last one backed out of the alley the man turned back around and knelt beside the child again.

"Come on I still have to buy you something to eat." Whatever anger in the man's voice was gone. The man offered his hand to the child. The child regarded the man for a moment then took his hand.

Following the man as he began walking the child studied the man for the first time since he had seen him. Though he could only see him from the side the child could see that the man's hair was black, combed back, and he was tall taller than most of the people he'd seen. Next he saw was the long coat the man wore, the color black as night, the child took his free hand and touched it and felt how smooth it was; he didn't know what kind of material it was but he did like how it felt. The child then examined the hand that was holding his and focused on the glove covering it. The glove itself was nothing special, but the child did note was that there seemed to something in his glove moving his hand around in the man's the child could swear he heard sand moving around in there.

The child was broken from his observation as he tripped walking into the entrance of the place they were going into. Bringing his free hand to protect his face the child was braced for the impact. It never came; the child moved his arm and saw that the man had caught him before he hit the ground.

"Need to be careful little guy." The man said gently, righting the boy's stance. Turning to the man giving him a foxy grin he mouthed a small thank you.

That was when the child got to get a good look at the man's face, what immediately drew the child's attention was the man's eyes. The child's eyes widened a little seeing the color of the man's eyes, they did not match! One was blue and the other was brown. Seeing the child's face troubled the man asked.

"Is there something wrong kid?" Embarrassed for being caught the child looked down at the ground.

"Mister your eyes are funny." The child's voice was almost a whisper.

The man blinked once, twice, three times and began to laugh a little. Hearing this the child looked at the man confused.

"They are kind of funny aren't they?" The man said amused.

The Child smiled and began laughing with him. Taking his hand again the child felt relieved that he didn't make this guy angry. Going through the bar the child noted that it was kind of empty he could only make out three people in the entire place. Thinking about it the child remembered that today was October, 10 everyone usually went to the festival today. Satisfied with his answer the child looked to see that they were at the bar's counter. The man turned and looked down at the child and helped him up onto one of the stools.

The child then looked at the space area behind the counter upon his new elevated seat. The man sitting down next to the kid looked around for the man he needed to talk to. Not finding him he just decided to call out to him.

"Barkeep" the man raised his voice loud enough for it to be heard in the entire establishment.

Hearing movement coming from one of the room's in the back the man and the child both turned to the door that was being opened. Out walked a smaller man who seemed to walking with a limp, he had black hair that was unruly. His face was rough and worn. He was dressed in a simple white button up shirt and black pants. Nearing the two sitting down the man took one look at the child and glared.

"You're too young to be in here and even if you were I wouldn't serve someone like you" his voice was firm and held a touch of venom in it.

The child looked down and tears began to form up in his eyes. Why was everyone so mean to him he couldn't figure it out.

"The kids with me… and I suggest you don't use that tone with him again if you know what's good for you Shin" the man's tone was firm and commanding.

The child looked over at the man who just stood up for him. Happiness began to feel his heart. No one had ever stood up for him, except old man Hokage but even then he never saw him do it without other ninja surrounding him.

Turning his attention back to the bartender the child noticed that some of the color drained from the man's face. The bartender slowly turned his head to stare at the man who had made the statement upon seeing the face of the man the bartenders jaw dropped.

"J-Jin I d-didn't know you where here, how can I help you?" The small man seemed scared out of his mind and the child couldn't understand why, though more importantly the child got the man's name.

"Shin relax man, I'm only here for a few things I need some food for the kid, a glass of milk for me, and you know the last thing I need." Jin was smiling an amused little smile seeing the reaction that the other man had to him.

The bartender relaxed a little hearing what Jin said slowly nodding his head to confirm he heard the order. Then began to slowly walk away and stop suddenly, he turned over to look at Jin, the bartender's expression kept switching from being confused to being amused.

"Milk" Shin asked timidly.

Jin knew this would happened, it always happened when he ordered this. He looked at the bartender with a serious expression on his face. He hated when people said that it wasn't his fault that milk tasted so good.

"Put it in a dirty glass" even though the voice was monotone inside Jin wasn't too happy.

'Damn I hate it when I do that, damn milk tastes horrible then,' as the bartender turned to leave Jin expression turned to one of annoyance.

The child seeing the exchange was confused. What was wrong with milk? He liked milk; in fact he liked it a lot. Not getting any answers he decided to ask Jin.

"Jin what's wrong with milk?" The child asked with his finger on his chin.

"Nothings wrong with milk kid, it's just that it seems weird for an adult to come into a bar ordering it." As Jin said this he looked at the child with a bored expression on his face. 'Hmm whisker marks on his face… eh I've seen weirder things'.

"So why were those villagers chasing you around like that?" Jin looked at the child's face as he said and could feel the child's mood drop considerably.

The truth was the child didn't know why the villagers were always so cruel to him. They always beat him, steal his possessions, and call him names without ever giving him a reason why. He gave the only answer that he could give to the situation.

"I don't know why, they always do this to me especially when it's my birthday." The child's voice cracked a little when he said this, a tear could be seen coming down his face. When the tear left his face the child found the floor to be rather interesting at the moment.

'This is really fucked up, no child should have to put up with this shit,' Jin thought the expression on his face changing to slight anger.

"When's your birthday kid?" Jin's expression changed back to being bored.

Hearing Jin address him the child perked up and looked at him a depressed.

"It's today" he replied with a sad tone.

"Happy birthday" upon saying this Jin turned back to the counter and retreated into his thoughts.

The child's, slightly taken back by the statement, smiled a small smile hearing what Jin said 'thank you' was all the boy thought.

Still thinking about recent developments the boy didn't notice Jin tapping him lightly on the shoulder.

"Hey kid" Jin said.

Finally jarred from his thoughts the boy looked at Jin. "What" he asked quizzically.

"Foods here" and with that Jin started to drink his milk.

Looking down at his plate the child's mouth started to water. 'Food, real food' and with that he began to inhale the pieces of cut meat on his plate.

Looking at the boy next to him Jin couldn't help but feel a little amused, and then turned his attention back to the bartender who looked a little nervous.

"How's the little lady Shin" Jin said in a bored tone. Seeing the poor guy jump at being addressed Jin couldn't help but chuckle.

"She's fine" Shin said as fast as he could. He didn't want to have to talk to Jin any more then he had to.

"Why so jumpy Shin?" Jin said rather calmly. He knew that Shin didn't really like to talk with him, but that didn't mean he didn't like messing with the guy.

"You're the reason why! Who wouldn't be jumpy when you show up?" Shin spat before realizing what he was saying. After it came out of his mouth his face went pale and he started backing like a cornered animal.

"Ah come on I'm not that bad am I?" Jin said putting down his glass of milk, noting that it didn't taste like it was in a dirty glass.

"Last time you were here you broke my arm!" Shin blurted out unconsciously grabbing his arm.

Jin turned his head a little looking at the kid now almost done with his plate. "Yeah but you learned your lesson right, and that's why you have your payment ready right?" Jin smiled as he talked remembering the last he was here. "When you get a chance get me some more milk."

"Yeah yeah" Shin said taking his glass and going to refill the glass.

Looking around Jin noticed that the bar was starting to get more customers. 'Better finish business soon its always harder working around crowds' Jin thought before hearing the sound of glass hitting the counter.

"Thanks, all you need to do now is pay up and I'll be on my way" Jin said more quietly than he intended.

Shin sighed taking an envelope out of his back pocket and put it next to glass of milk.

"Much better" Jin chirped happily. Downing the milk in gulp he put the glass down took up the envelope and deposited it inside his coat.

"I'll be on my way then, kid lets go" Jin said in the same bored tone he had on earlier.

The child looked up from the plate he had been licking and saw his new friend leaving; he hopped off his stool and ran after him screaming "Bye Mister!" Waving goodbye as he ran.

Outside in the alley the child saw Jin walking slowly out of the alley.

"Hey Jin thanks for dinner." The child said with a beaming smile on his face clutching his teddy bear tightly.

Jin looking over at the kid as he said that couldn't help but smile back. 'Damn that's contagious' Jin thought.

"Your welcome" Jin said with that same smile on his face.

Coming to the end of the alley Jin turned toward the small boy and said "Well this is where we part ways kid see you around" and with that he turned and started walking away.

The child looked at the retreating form of the man trying to decide what to do. He didn't want to go back to the orphanage he was afraid that they would be waiting for him there, he didn't want to go to the Hokages tower the ninja there are unusually cruel during his birthday, and he didn't want to just wander the street and end up hiding in dumpster like last year. Thinking of everything he could within his power at the moment he decided on what he thought was the safest thing to do was. He started following Jin.

'Poor kid, maybe I should have given him some money so he could buy something nice' Jin thought walking towards the gates of the village. 'Hmm…maybe I can still catch him then' as he finished the thought Jin turned around to begin backtracking when he the little blonde head that he was looking for following him.

"Eh you following me kid?" Jin asked curiously.

The child looked up at him with a small smile on his face. "Yeah I am" after saying this, his small smile turned into a foxy grin.

"Well at least you're honest, but why are you following me?" Jin could almost guess the answer but he needed to hear it from the kid to be sure.

"Well I have nowhere else to go, if I go back to the orphanage they'll beat me up and other than that I have nowhere else to go nobody really likes me except you and old man Hokage." He stated matter-of-factly.

Jin didn't know what to think at the moment. 'Why did they have to chase him in front that god damn bar' Jin thought bringing his hand up to his face rubbing his forehead.

"Kid you can't come with me I don't even live here." Jin stated a little coldly. He didn't want to sound mean but the kid couldn't come with him.

The boy's hopes were crushed when that statement left Jin's mouth. He didn't know what to do now he didn't want something else bad to happen to him. One of the only people that have never been mean to him was leaving and he didn't know what to do. Tears began to form in his eyes.

Jin couldn't take the scene in front of him. 'God dammit why me' and began walking off with that last thought. He didn't get more than five steps when he heard it, the sound of crying coming from behind him. 'Ugh…I'm going soft' Jin thought and turned around.

"Kid you want to come with me." Jin said hoping this didn't come back and haunt him later.

"Huh." The child said still crying.

"Yeah kid you can come with me, but you have to realize if you do your probably not going to see this village for a while, hell I don't even this in Fire Country." Jin said calmly.

The child thought about it. 'I have to leave here, I'm kind of scared I've never been out of the village before…but Jin is going to be with so it can't be that bad.'

"Thank you" the child said quietly walking up to Jin.

Jin took the child's hand in his and began walking to the gate again. Wondering how he always got into this kind of mess he realized something important, he didn't even know the kids name.

"Hey what's your name I can't keep calling you kid you know" Jin stated.

"Oh yeah I totally forgot about that" the child said cheery. A sweatdrop appeared on Jin's head 'how do you forget that' Jin thought to himself.

"It's Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki" Naruto said proudly.

"That's a good name Naruto it's nice to meet you" Jin said amused.

"Thanks Jin" Naruto said smiling the biggest smile he's ever done.

Jin felt smiled again when he saw Naruto. 'Dammit he's got to stop that it's too contagious'.

Upon approaching the gate out of the village a figure stood in the middle of the doorway clad in white robes and a hat that had the kanji for 'Fire' on it he looked as if waiting for someone. Jin had a hunch as to who it was, his suspicions were confirmed when Naruto let go of his hand and ran towards the figure.

"Old man!" the child shouted excited to no end that he got to see him before he left with Jin.

"Hello Naruto how are you?" old Sarutobi said giving Naruto a smile.

"I'm fine old man! Hey you'll never guess what happened the villagers were gonna hurt me again but then Jin saved and he even bought me dinner afterwards." Naruto was smiling brightly recalling the story of earlier.

The old Hokage let out a sad sigh.

"Is that right, and who is this Jin that saved you?" Sarutobi couldn't help but feel depressed as he heard what could have happened to the small boy earlier.

Jin looked at the old Hokage with some distaste. 'So I guess the old bastard is still alive then, wonder where the other one is the one with blonde hair'.

"I'm Jin." Upon hearing this Sarutobi turned his attention to the rather tall man.

"Ah well it looks like I owe you a debt of thanks then Jin-san, I can only imagine what would have happened to little Naruto if you hadn't shown up." Sarutobi said giving a smile.

Jin was getting annoyed, he wanted to start on his way home he had a long trip ahead of him and to top it off he was looking at a man he didn't like.

"Sorry for being rude, but Naruto and I have a long trip ahead of us and I would like to make it to the next inn before it gets to dark." Jin said sounding a little frustrated.

Naruto looked at Jin as he was speaking and realized that he hadn't said anything to the old man about leaving with Jin. Turning over to the old Hokage Naruto gave a sheepish smile and said embarrassed "Yeah I kind of forgot to tell ya that Jin said that I could go and live him."

Jin sweatdropped 'how the hell could he forget to tell him that'. Ah well it didn't really matter it was just one of the things he would have to get used to about the kid. Turning his attention to Sarutobi he saw that the Hokage gave a knowing smile to Naruto before speaking.

"Yes I know Naruto and I just came by to say goodbye to you." As he finished saying this he bent down and gave a big hug to Naruto.

Naruto returned the hug with as much emotion as he could manage with small tears dripping down his face. After finishing Naruto turned away from Sarutobi and took Jin's hand as he began walking towards the gate again.

As Jin was closing in on the gate he saw Sarutobi's smile change to an expression of indifference directed towards him. Passing the old man he heard him say something in a tone only he could hear.

"You better not to hurt that poor boy anymore than he already has been."

Jin could only smile an amused smile before replying "Someone should have told you that old man."

As the footsteps of the two began to fade away the old man took off his hat and rubbed his head. He turned and looked at the carving of the fourth on the side of the mountain with one thought gracing his mind at the moment.

'That man…'

Alright everyone that's the end of chapter 1 tell me what think. Is it good or bad? I tried to get Naruto's mindset to that of a four year the best I could (that's why some of the descriptions were lacking). As for the Kenshin styles I don't know how many I'll use but I did drop a hint as to the first one.

Anyway review and thanks for reading.

As for what'll happen next chapter Naruto and Jin will be making there way to where Jin lives with some action thrown in.