The Angel of Death

Chapter 1

"I will... never, be a memory."

Those were his last words before his physical body dissolved into black dust. But his mind, his spirit, his essence, his will... these things were too strong to merely disappear. But he had no way of returning to physical form, at least not in this universe. There were others that he could travel to, but all held the same problem, he had no way of returning to his true physical form. He had only one option, and that was to implant his will, his essence, into a body. It didn't matter what body, and it didn't matter what universe or dimension... as long as it was young.

But the cells of his 'mother' that were implanted into him when he was born had been destroyed with his body. Her desire to destroy the world and use it to travel to other worlds and repeat the cycle was no longer there. All that there was was a strong desire to remain alive... to never fade, to never be mere words in a history book or an old wives's tale. He simply would not accept that. However, whatever body he choose to implant himself into, his will would not be in control. It would be there, in the back of the person's consciousness, slowly merging and becoming one. It was not the ideal method but, it would have to do.

He felt a pull into a different dimension, and before he knew it he was looking over a battlefield. He took note of the village, of the... ninja, if he wasn't mistaken, fighting a large fox with nine tails. He watched as an equally large toad appeared in front of the rampaging fox. There was a blinding flash of light and the battle was over, the large fox had disappeared and all that was left was the giant toad. Unseen by anyone, the black dust that made up his essence made its way downward. Coming into view upon the large toad's head was a blonde man still holding a small bundle even in death. The bundle was revealed to be a sleeping baby, no older then a few hours, with three whisker marks upon each cheek. The black dust was absorbed into the sleeping infant, remaining dormant for some years, before awakening.

--

(6 years later)

When Diao Chan had convinced her beloved to take her into Konoha, she was not expecting this to happen. She had not expected to hear cries for help and she had definitely not expected to find a boy no older then six years old, being beaten by a mob of villagers. Her motherly instincts flaring, she looked over to the dark armored figure of her beloved, the twin phoenix feathers swaying in the wind. Lu Bu gave off a loud roar causing the mob to stop the beating and turn their attention towards them. Lu Bu walked forward, the villagers parting to make room for them. When she got a glance at the young blonde boy, Diao Chan immediately rushed forward to cradle the bleeding child.

"I... I didn't... I didn't do anything. Someone... anyone... please... help." The small boy in her arms cried out. Diao Chan tightened her grip on the small boy, not caring about the blood she was getting on herself, whispering sweet words into the child's ear.

"What is the meaning of this?! You cowardly vermin would attack a helpless child!" Lu Bu yelled out, demanding some answers.

"That's no child!" One villager yelled out, "That little demon," however the villager was cut short when his head rolled off his shoulders. The headless body fell to the ground, revealing the dark robed figure of an ANBU, the white weasel mask staring out at the gathered mob.

"Is there anyone else, who wishes to break Sandaime-sama's law?" The Weasel ANBU asked, his voice cold and emotionless. Not wanting to deal with an ANBU the mob quickly scattered, leaving Weasel, Lu Bu and Diao Chan in the street. "Thank you, for interfering. I'm afraid I was otherwise... occupied, with other matters. I'll take the boy to the hospital and make sure he gets treated." Weasel said, sheathing his katana as he walked over to stand in front of Diao Chan.

Diao Chan looked up to her beloved, her eyes silently pleading with him. Lu Bu knew that look, he knew that she wouldn't be separated from the boy now. Perhaps Diao Chan's caring heart was too big, or perhaps it was simply her motherly instincts telling her to care for the boy. Either way, he knew that she wouldn't be convinced to be far from the boy. Not that he blamed her, even he had doubts about the boy's safety from the little they had seen. And he heard that Konoha was the best village to live in. Ha! All he saw was more vermin that thought they were better then anyone else. "Diao Chan will stay with the boy at the hospital while you take me to see whoever it is that's in charge of this village," Lu Bu said, leaving no room for argument.

Weasel nodded his head and led them to the hospital. On the way there, Lu Bu took note of all of the glares that were being directed towards them, though they all seemed to be focused on the young blonde boy that Diao Chan was carrying. But what that villager had said before the ANBU killed him still bothered him. "That little demon", what had that meant? Lu Bu had heard tales of certain demons being able to change their appearance. But if that was the case here, then why hadn't the small boy defended himself and changed to his true form? Or was it just the fear of the villagers corrupting their minds to the truth? Lu Bu didn't know the answer, and he wasn't going to ask Diao Chan and risk worrying her about something that might not be the case.

Diao Chan walked up to the receptionist in the lobby and said, "Please, this boy needs help."

The receptionist took one glance at the boy in her arms and said, "That... thing is not allowed in here." The ANBU would have done something but the receptionist was pinned to the wall before he could act. An X-shaped weapon with the blade of a halberd on the four ends was holding her to the wall. Lu Bu walked forward and took Sky Piercer from the wall, "Help the boy, worm." The receptionist nodded and quickly called for a doctor. Luckily the doctor that was called had no ill will towards the young child and quickly led Diao Chan off.

With that out of the way, Lu Bu turned to the ANBU and said, "Now, take me to whoever it is that's in charge." The ANBU nodded before leading the dark armored warrior away.

--

Diao Chan sat next to the young boy's bed, whom she learned was named Naruto. To her surprise Naruto had healed almost immediately, but the strange thing was that the doctor hadn't been surprised either. This led her to believe that there was something about the boy that everyone else knew that she and Lu Bu didn't. Perhaps Naruto had one of those kekkei genkai, or bloodline limit, that some of the ninja clans were known for? But if that was true, then why were those villagers beating the small boy? And where was the boy's clan if he did have a kekkei genkai? No, there was another reason. But what could be so terrible that no one would talk about it? Not even the boy himself knew, if his cries for help were any indication.

Even so, she would care for the boy as if he was her own. From the little the doctor had told her, Naruto was an orphan, his parents killed in some attack that happened six years ago. What happened during that attack the doctor had refused to say, as if it was a village secret. What ever it was, could it be linked to Naruto more then what was told to her? What could it be that would make the villagers hate such a small and innocent boy? Wait a minute, what had that one villager say? "That's no child! That little demon," but Naruto couldn't be a demon, could he? No, he couldn't, no demon would willingly be beaten by a mob of villagers.

Any other thoughts Diao Chan might have had disappeared as Naruto awakened, "Where... where am I?"

Diao Chan placed her gloved hand on the small boy's shoulders, frowning when he stiffened as if afraid of the contact, "Do not worry, little one. You are safe here, with me."

Naruto's eyes widened at this, tears gathering at the corners, "You... you really mean that?" Diao Chan's response was to gather the small child in her arms and hold him to her. Naruto buried his face into the crock of her neck and cried, Diao Chan tightened her grip, whispering sweet nothings into his ear and stroking his hair.

After a few minutes, Diao Chan pulled back to stare into Naruto's eyes, "Come, you're fully healed and you look like you haven't eaten in days. I'll treat you to some food while my Lord Lu Bu talks to the person in charge of the village."

Naruto jumped off of her lap and grabbed her hand, "Then to Ichiraku Ramen! They have the best ramen around!" Naruto started to run as fast as his little legs could carry him while still pulling Diao Chan along.

Diao Chan saw the glares, took note of the whispers behind their back. All of this fueled her suspicion that there was something larger hidden. But it also fueled rare anger within her. How dare the villagers attack a boy and not even say the reason behind it. It was inexcusable! How could anyone look at Naruto and not see a hyperactive, innocent young boy? Though from personal experience, fear did strange things to someone's mind. But what was there to fear about the young boy? The beautiful dancer didn't have any answers, but she prayed that her beloved would find out.

Ichiraku Ramen was run by Teuchi, with his thirteen year old daughter, Ayame, helping out. Both of the ramen chiefs adored Naruto, and this made Diao Chan glad. Naruto chattered away to Ayame as if he was never beaten earlier that day. Or was Naruto beaten so many times that he was just used to it? And if so, then that just strengthened her decision to care for the boy. She knew Lu Bu wouldn't mind. Her beloved had always wanted to train or produce an heir. And although he never said it out loud, she knew her lord cared too much about her. She knew that Lu Bu would withhold his own desire just to protect her.

Watching in slight fascination as Naruto tore through bowl after bowl of ramen, Diao Chan had to wonder when was the last time the boy ate... or if he always ate so much. The young boy was already on his fifth bowl and there appeared to be no sign of him stopping. Not that Diao Chan minded, regardless of what anyone said or threatened to do, she would care and raise the boy. Even if she and her beloved had to fight to keep the young boy. She simply would not allow Naruto to remain in a village that clearly and openly despised him.

Her thoughts were broken when the same weasel masked ANBU appeared before them, "Hokage-sama requests you and young Uzumaki-san's presence." Diao Chan nodded, reaching into the pouch she kept attached to her belt and paying for the meal before following the ANBU.

When they were all gathered in the Hokage's office, the Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi, was the first to speak, "Naruto-kun, I have already explained this to Lu Bu, but you, as well as Diao Chan, should know about what happened on the day of your birth. But first, let me begin with telling you who your parents were." Naruto's eyes lit up at this, "Your mother, Uzumaki Kushina, was an ANBU captain from the hidden village located in Uzu no Kuni. During the Third Great Shinobi War, she came here, after Uzu no Kuni was completely destroyed, she was the only surviver. Here she met your father, Namikaze Minato, otherwise known as the Yondaime Hokage."

Sarutobi paused to collect his thoughts, here things became difficult, "As you know, six years ago, during the day of your birth, the Kyuubi no Kitsune attacked this village. Your father tried everything he knew to stop the fox, but the Kyuubi couldn't be destroyed, so he did the next best thing. Minato sealed the soul of the Kyuubi into you, this is why the villagers hate and fear you. But unlike what they want to believe, you are not the fox itself, you are merely the container of its soul and power."

Tears streamed down the young boy's face, as he took everything in, but unfortunately the aged Hokage wasn't finished, "Before your mother died, she gave me this to give you." Sarutobi tossed a scroll, which Diao Chan caught, unrolling it in front of the small boy in her lap.

"Um... c-could you read it?" Naruto asked. A sad smile spread across her lips before Diao Chan began to read:

To my little Naru-chan,

If you are reading this then that means I have died. Even as I'm writing, you're sleeping peacefully in your crib. You look so sweet and innocent, it's hard to imagine the burden your father placed on you. It's been a full year since your father died protecting this village. My little Naru-kun, as you may or may not know, your father died sealing away the Kyuubi no Kitsune into your infant form. But know that you are not the fox itself, do not let anyone tell you otherwise. You are Namikaze Uzumaki Naruto, the last of both clans. Oh, I wish there was an easier way to tell you this but I know there isn't. Because of an unforeseen complication giving birth to you and the strain of the Kyuubi's attack, the doctors have said that I my not live long enough to see you grow up. And because of this I want to write a little about the Uzumaki and our kekkei genkai.

We Uzumaki were known as the 'Angels of the Battlefield', because of our kekkei genkai. This kekkei genkai is the ability to sprout wings from our shoulder blades, and yes the ability to fly as well. I have already created a separate scroll detailing the abilities, however, I feel you should know how to activate it. In order to call upon the Angel's Wings, simply focus your chakra to your shoulder blades and they shall appear.

It fills me with grief, knowing the difficult life you shall face, knowing that I may not live long enough to see you surpass your father, knowing how the ignorant villagers will never see you as the innocent boy that you are. But regardless of what may happen, know that I have, and always will love you. Continue our legacy, Naruto-kun, and make your father and I proud.

Your loving mother,

Uzumaki Kushina

Naruto had tears streaming down his face, though these were from happiness. Happiness from knowing that his parents had loved him. Gone were the thoughts that his family had abandoned him, caused by the biased villagers, from their hate. It didn't matter to him, that he'd never see them, but knowing that they cared was enough for him. His subconscious mind gathered chakra at his shoulders, sprouting two black angel wings. After Naruto calmed down, Sarutobi said, "Lu Bu here, has offered to adopt you, Naruto."

"Understand that I will train you to be the strongest there is. However, I know not any of your ninjutsu, therefor I can not train him in that," Lu Bu said.

Sarutobi nodded, "That is where Weasel-san, comes in. You may remove your mask." The ANBU nodded, lowering the hood first, revealing black hair kept in a low ponytail. The weasel mask was then removed, revealing a male's face, emotionless ebony eyes staring out. "This is Uchiha Itachi, and he will train young Naruto-kun in the ways of the ninja."

"Very well, however, the boy will need a weapon if I am to train him properly."

"I know just the place, please, follow me." With that the aged Hokage led them out of his office.

The weapons shop that they had been led to wasn't very big, it wasn't very well known and it wasn't very popular, but it was the best place to get weapons to the few that knew of it. The small six year old, walked through the store, gazing at the many different weapons as if in a candy store. Naruto had already picked out two fuuma shurikan, both able to fold and rest on his forearms like guards. But he was still looking for one thing, he didn't know exactly what it was... until he saw it.

It was an odachi, the handle covered in red wrapping, strange and ornate symbols running down the five foot blade. Naruto reached out, green and red chakra flowing from his finger tips, absorbing into the blade, causing the blade to spring to life. The first thing to happen was that the odachi shortened in length, becoming a few inches bigger then the blonde boy. Lightning the color of blood surged to life, arching across the length of the blade. Naruto reached out, holding the blade in his hand. He didn't know why but he knew this was what he was looking for.

He couldn't understand it, but it felt right holding the blade in his hand. As if it was always meant to be used by him, always meant to be held within his hand. It felt as if he wasn't complete, until he held the odachi, felt like his arm was now complete. Unseen by anyone, his eyes flashed from bright blue to a cold green, as if fighting for control. His naïve mind couldn't comprehend why he was drawn to this blade, only that there was... something. Something was drawing him to this blade, to use it and none would be able to stand against him. And yet another part of him simply felt like it was reunited with a long lost friend. He could not understand these feelings... but he knew one thing.

A smile spread across his lips, his wings flaring out behind him, this is the weapon he'd use to make his mother and father proud, this is the weapon he'd use to show that he wasn't the Kyuubi no Kitsune that attacked the village. He is Namikaze Uzumaki Naruto the Ekipyougami(1) of Konoha, and Benitsune is his blade.

--

Deep within the young boy's mind, two different beings watched as Naruto chose his blade. "An interesting choice... though I suppose with you here he wouldn't use any other type of weapon," a female voice said, coming from behind a large cage.

"It is not only myself who is responsible for the boy's choice. It was your blade to begin with," the male voice said, though his held no emotion.

A grin, not unlike that of a fox, spread across the woman's face, "True, true. Still, I wonder when the young kit will come and visit us." When the woman received no reply she frowned, "You're no fun to talk to."

"Hmph," the male simply replied, his cold green eyes staring into nothing. His single black angel wing extending from his right shoulder blade flapping every once in awhile.

1) Ekipyougami- translates as Angel of Death

To be honest I had thought this up and it wouldn't leave me alone. So I thought that while I'm writing out my other stories this would be a nice break. What the plan for the furture of this fic? I have no idea just like I have no idea for a pairing... though I don't know if I want to leave it with just Hinata or give Naruto a small harem... I don't know. Well I've ranted long enough, please review. I'd like to know what you thought of it.