Disclaimer: I do not own any of the anime/manga/movies/etc. that I write about; otherwise I would be a millionaire NOT writing on fanfiction publishing my own ideas.
Summary: This is based off The Infamous Man's challenge on 'What if Naruto was betrayed by Konoha and comes back as a Bleach character' challenge. My idea is: 'What if Naruto was betrayed by Konoha and comes back as one of the homonculi from Fullmetal Alchemist?' For this one I chose Envy and it will be an eventual Envy/Hina pairing.
Jealous Fox
"Goodbye…Edward…Elric"
The Homunculus known as Envy awoke with a start. He took on the appearance as a pale-skinned androgynous youth with a lean muscular build and bulging biceps. He has long, wispy hair that is black with a tint of green to it and violet-pupiled eyes. He wears a black form-fitting bodysuit with a matching headband, which has a triangular symbol on it. The last distinguishing feature was the Ouroboros symbol tattooed on his left thigh. Envy shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs in his mind and trying to remember what happened. He remembered tricking the foolish girl from Xing to take him back to Central, regaining his powers from the Philosopher Stone fueled dolls, fighting and being utterly humiliated by that infuriating Colonel Mustang, and finally that Fullmetal pipsqueak Edward Elric further shaming him by discovering his reason for hating humans: he was jealous of them. He was jealous of how they always helped each other, how they could live happiness filled lives, how they could…how they could have an actual family and have someone to love them. The shame of it all ultimately lead to his suicide by destroying his own Philosopher Stone, so how was he still alive!
Envy forced himself out of his thoughts to take in his surroundings. He appeared to be in a vast white space with nothing really in sight. The artificial human turned around and gasped at what he saw. Floating before him was a large gate, many times larger than himself, and it was covered in alchemic drawings. He knew of this gate, it was the Portal of Truth, the one Father tried to create when he made Gluttony. Envy remembered seeing a glimpse of it when Edward transported himself, Envy, and the brat prince Ling out of Gluttony's stomach. The Homunculus tried to figure out why he was here when a voice sounded behind him.
"Hello, Mr. Homunculus."
Envy spun around and saw a figure that wasn't there a few seconds ago. It looked like an outline for a human being that was all white with a shadowy outline for the body. The voice the being used was similar to the voice of his true, larger form in that it sounded like many people talking at once. Normally Envy would rudely demand who the being was but he had a feeling that this being before him was many times more powerful than himself, possibly more powerful than Father, and instead asked in a more respectful tone, "Who are you?"
The being seemed to smile and spoke in a slightly mocking tone, "Oh, I'm glad you asked! I go by many names: I am the World. I am Universe. I am God. I am Truth. I am All. I am One, and I am You."
Envy was stunned; this was the being Father wanted to acquire; the one he would use to become God! He didn't know whether to bow or to run, but his pride wouldn't let him. Despite Pride's insistence he knew that he felt more than just envy, though it was the most dominant of his emotions. The Jealous then asked, "And what would you want with me, Truth?"
Truth's smile seemed to grow larger and he/she/it said, "Well, if you must know, I've decided to give you another chance at life Envy the Jealous, or should I call you Naruto Uzumaki?"
Envy was about to demand what Truth was talking about when his head seemed to split in agony! Memories from a different time, or life, flashed before his eyes: A young boy with wild blond hair, blue eyes, and whisker-marked cheeks stumbled into a village holding an unconscious black haired boy. Both were battered and bruised and looked on their last leg, but the moment they entered the village men wearing black clothes and white masks with the kanji for 'Root' in the center apprehended the blond while carrying the black haired boy away to the hospital. A few hours later a trial was held in the center of the village.
"I, Danzo, Sixth Hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, with the agreement of the Clan Heads, the Village Council, and the Elders, declare you a traitor. You have brought shame and dishonor upon the entire village. You were ordered to capture Sasuke Uchiha and return him to Konoha. Permission was given to use force if necessary. But instead, you attempted to murder him…"
If Naruto wasn't chained and manacled and he didn't have the cursed gag in his mouth, he would have ranted and screamed and hurled abuse at the mummy. But he wasn't able to. Naruto's face was mauled and scarred, courtesy of Sakura and the mob that attacked him, and breathing hurt him sorely, thanks to the two point blank Chidori he had received during his battle with Sasuke. He stared at them from under his eyebrows, his neck bent under the heavy steel collar; his eyes filled with betrayal, hate…and despair.
"…He surrendered peacefully, but you attacked anyway. Eye-witnesses reported it. Sasuke Uchiha was nearly killed by your brutal assault. Your betrayal nearly destroyed the last of the Uchiha Clan, and nearly cost Konoha her finest ninja. It is decided that you will be taken from this place and suffer execution three days hence, as should have been done when you were a child. The Kyūbi no Yōko is a threat to this village, one that should have been destroyed long ago, and it is clear that you no longer have the will or strength to suppress it."
Danzo stood and to the cheers and roars of approval, he waved a hand to the two Root ANBU members, declaring, "Take the jinchuriki away."
The holding cell was large and bare. There were a dozen thick steel bars across the entrance, but there was a small door through them which allowed the guards in. Naruto's wrists were manacled, with long chains attached to the walls, stretching his arms to breaking point. His neck was held in a large collar, attached to a chain to the ceiling, and every time he breathed or moved his neck the sharp edges cut deep into his skin, causing blood to run down his naked chest. His legs were manacled to the floor, spread out from each other, so that he resembled a five-pointed star.
He had found out from his jailors what happened, apparently one of the village elders named Danzo had held a political coup on Tsunade, forcing her from the village and, with the help of his personal Root ANBU and backing from a majority of Konoha's civilians and a few of its ninja, had placed the man as the official Sixth Hokage. Some of the shinobi tried to fight against it, but they were quickly silenced due to blackmail, public executions, or they simply 'disappeared'.
On the first day, Ibiki Morino and his Torture and Interrogation squad had entered the cell and had set to work on him. By the time they left, many hours later, his ribs were fractured, one of his eyes was blinded, his skin was burnt, his legs were broken and twisted, and he had more bruises than he could count.
Later the same day Kakashi entered. He walked right up to Naruto, watching him mournfully. "To think that I broke my own rule..., I truly am a scum... Never have I thought I'd be alive to also break the one for the Chidori." Kakashi lamented with grief heavy in his voice, "I won't deny that I ignored you... It's not that you are worthless. On the contrary, you were the most valuable person that was entrusted to me. I saw you as someone strong…, who stood tall against any challenges…, who never gave up. I truly believed that you could have surpassed anything." His voice filled with pride, "Yet… I never was able to look beyond your mask. Ironic, isn't it? Coming from someone who wore one all his life? Sigh… talk about looking underneath the underneath. Naruto… I have no right, but… I'm sorry… for so many things..., for leaving you … even now. I wish I could, but there wasn't any safe way. This is the only chance to see you again." It was hanging, but he knows what could have followed: 'For the last time.' … "For all that is worth…, I'm sorry."
"Hey…sensei? Can I ask a favour, even if I don't deserve it?" His mismatched eyes regained a bit of life, yet turned steel with resolve. He can almost sense his eagerness..., for that he believes this one wish will be granted.
He finally looked up. For the last time in this realm…, he made his request with a small, but true smile. "Please… protect them for me."
Naruto watched him retreat, silent as the grave.
His 'friends' came that day. Rock Lee, Shino, Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, Neji, and Kiba were silent, standing in the background as the others sneered and gloated. Sakura insulted him and spat on him, declaring the hate she had felt since they had first formed the team. The others students followed suit, blaming him for the misfortunes of their clans and those who died thirteen years before. Finally they all left, Naruto as silent as ever.
Then...
"Hello, dobe."
Naruto's eye looked up, staring straight into the Sharingan, the only light in the dark cell. He could barely discern Sasuke, only as a dark shape in the pitch blackness. He was mildly surprised to realise they had let him into the cell. Sasuke sneered as Naruto struggled to raise his head, his eye filled with venomous hate. He forced himself to stand upright, but the chains restricted his movements, and he could feel his damaged body click and snap in some places. He glared at Sasuke.
"Now, now, Naruto. That's no way to look at the new Uchiha Clan Head," smirked Sasuke, showing him the ring he wore on his finger. It showed the Uchia crest on a band of silver and gold. Sasuke punched him clean in the stomach, his eyes livid. Naruto snarled at the pain. Sasuke had gotten stronger. His sealed chakra meant that he hurt all the more.
"So Sasuke, how come…?" he asked. Naruto tugged on his chains, making them rattle. Sasuke, understanding, smiled darkly.
"Kukuku. Allow me to explain. Think about it. I am the last loyal Uchia. My Sharingan promises Konoha's continued authority over the rest of the world. The village has more need of the Sharingan then the Kyūbi no Yōko. My children and theirs will have the Sharingan, and from that Konoha can conquer all the Lands. The council came to me offering a most intriguing proposal; remain loyal to Konoha, and they will give me all the power I want. They've already begun." He held up the ANBU mask at his side and placed it over his face, but Naruto couldn't discern the image painted on.
"But they have still more to offer. I might become Hokage, how about I take that dream of yours as well?"
Naruto snorted and leant forward again, ignoring Sasuke.
"Did you come here for a reason, or just to spout crap, douchebag?" hissed Naruto. He was going to die. He wasn't going to be polite now.
Sasuke smirked again, his Sharingan livid. "Yes; the village has decided to make me your executioner. They thought it only fitting as the Head of the Uchiha Clan and the one you nearly murdered. From you, I will gain the Mangekyo Sharingan, and become even stronger, all thanks to you."
He turned and left, leaving the cell dark again. Naruto couldn't help it. He giggled. He giggled like a child, his voice rising. Chortling, laughing, and guffawing. He heard the guards and Sasuke stop still as they listened to the laughter of a madman. The cerulean eye gleamed like fire.
The next few hours were silent and still. As the sun set and the moon arose, a storm struck the village. Freezing rain struck the outside of the prison and seeped through the wall, the cold chilling his blood. The second day began warm and dry, but the inside of Naruto's cell was still cold. He heard the tramp of feet approaching the cell.
"Here he is. Be quick," hissed one voice, a guard, nervously.
"Yes," said a second voice, quietly.
He continued looking down, his eye focused on the ground.
"N-N-Naruto-kun?" stuttered the second voice. The voice was sad and heavy, panting with fear and worry.
Naruto looked up, fixing his baleful cerulean glare on the bars. The voice whimpered in surprise and sadness upon seeing his ruined body.
"Who is there?" he asked hoarsely.
The bars creaked and the small door opened and Hinata stepped inside. Fat tears coursed down her soft face, her eyes wet and shining. She slowly, cautiously walked towards the prisoner. When she was a mere foot away, she stopped and knelt so that Naruto looked down at her.
"Hinata? What are you doing here? Come to spit at the cornered rat as well?" His lips twisted in an insane grin, his eye mad and wild.
Hinata looked pained at his words and shook her head worriedly, crying harder. "Forgive me Naruto-kun."
Naruto blinked in surprise. Barely anyone had said they were sorry, except Teams 9, 10, Kakashi and the rest of Team 8, and for the teams it was even then indirectly, by their sad faces and the intense airs of self-loathing. He softened somewhat, but his eye still held the insane gleam.
"Don't worry Hinata; it's enough to know that someone doesn't hate me." He smiled at her.
Hinata smiled through her tears, her lips quivering.
" N-no, Naruto-kun. I c-came here to…to t-tell you something… and if I don't do it now, I-I-I'll never get the chance…" She started to hyperventilate.
Naruto watched her closely, confused and unsure of what was going on. Hinata regained her breath and then said, "N-Naruto-kun…for a long time now, I've…I've…" She stopped again, then, scrunching up her face, blurted out, "I love you Naruto-kun!" then dropped her face into her hands and wept.
Naruto stood there speechless. He couldn't wrap his mind around Hinata, sweet, innocent, shy, beautiful, gentle…
He made the links all in an instant. Her shyness around him. Kiba's and Shino's odd comments about her crush and her unwillingness to ever speak about it. Her shyness about him, her odd mannerisms. 'Perhaps if I noticed earlier, I might have…'
"I am sorry, Hinata," he whispered.
She looked back at him in confusion, then abject depression, her shakes and quivers intensifying. He realised it a moment later. She thought he was saying he didn't feel the same way.
"If I had known you felt that way," he continued, hoping to save the situation, "Perhaps, perhaps I might have…"
Hinata silenced him by grabbing his cheeks in her hands and kissing him. He was so surprised he couldn't react for a minute, but finally his mind kicked back in and he responded. It was clumsy and messy, but it was sweet. Finally, she pulled back, holding his face in her hands. Whispering…whispering…whispering…
"I love you Naruto-kun…"
"I…love you too." And he was surprised to find he meant it. What a fool he had been, wasting his life on the tramp Sakura. "Will you wait for me?" he asked as footsteps approached.
She nodded and kissed him again. "I will."
Naruto grinned up at the two Root members. "No worries, guys. Just help me a bit with the cuffs and everything else will be fine, dattebayo!"
The two men said nothing, silently removing the chains from the walls to retie to him later at the gallows. As they dragged him unresisting from the cell and through the prison, the Kyubi sighed. 'Well, Kit, it looks like the end is here. Afraid?'
'You?'
'Of course I am! I doubt there is an afterlife for me. And even if there is, all these fools who controlled me have pretty much guaranteed it'll be Hell.'
'Sorry, Kyubi,' Naruto thought as they were brought into the blinding sunlight, and heard the roar of the crowd.
'Don't be. Of all the humans I could have died with, I doubt many would be as brave as you kit. When you get to paradise or whatever, think of me, eh?'
'Sure' thought Naruto sadly as he realised that, despite the animosity between them, the Kyubi cared for him in a way, and he would never see or hear him again.
'Showtime,' they thought together, grinning sickly at each other as Naruto was bound between two pillars of stone on the gallows so that he stood as if crucified.
The wooden platform was built in directly in the middle of the village square, and to either side were the leaders of the village. In front of him was the entire village, everyone gathered to see the 'event'. Some were on the ground, some on top of the buildings. They were all cheering and laughing, hollering for the death of the demon. A few pelted rotten food and refuse at him. However, in the corner of his vision, atop one of the buildings, a small group huddled, alone. He caught a glimpse of Team 8 and Team Guy, as well as the Konhamaru Corps and Asuma with his team sitting on the roof together, watching the scene below. He saw Hinata being held by Kurenai, watching him and he could just about see her shoulders shaking.
Danzo raised his hands for silence. The crowd slowly mumbled itself into quiet.
"We are gathered here today to bear witness to the execution of Uzumaki Naruto, former Konoha Shinobi and S-Rank traitor, for the crimes of High Treason and attempted murder of a Clan Head."
Thunderous applause.
'All humans are the same; love the sound of their own voices' murmured the fox.
"As a shinobi he is allowed one honour; death at the hands of one of his fellow shinobi. Will the appointed step forward?"
The cheers intensified as Sasuke stepped forward. The crowd eagerly approved of the Uchiha being the one to 'exorcise the demon'.
"Any last words?" asked Danzo as Sasuke bared his arm to the shoulder.
Naruto remained silent and shrugged his shoulders, glaring Sasuke dead in his blood red eyes.
"Very well," smirked Sasuke. "Chidori!"
The fist passed clean through his chest, rupturing his heart and exploding out his back in a shower of blood. Sasuke ran him through to the shoulder, his ear pressed near Naruto's lips. Sasuke smiled widely. 'With the Mangekyo Sharingan, I can finally kill Itachi!'
Naruto spat up blood.
"S-Sas-uke, I…I win…"
And with his last strength he smiled. It was the soft gentle smile Naruto had given long ago, before all this. Above the cheers of the crowd, Hinata's scream and whimpering sobs were hidden as she buried herself into Kurenai's embrace. In the crowd, a disguised Tsunade silently wept at the death of her little brother figure.
Sasuke's scream silenced everything. Everyone knew that he should have gained the Mangekyo Sharingan. It was the villages only hope of defeating Itachi and the Akatsuki. But they all saw Sasuke staring into the metal of Naruto's headband and saw what Naruto had done. He had, with his final hours, denied Sasuke the one thing he desired from him.
The death of his best friend.
Envy gasped as the memories stopped pouring into his head. He shakily got to his feet and glared at Truth and demanded, "What was that? What were those memories and why did you show them to me?" All previous caution forgotten and his previous personality started to shine through.
Truth's smile seemed to lessen to an extent as he explained, "Well Envy, you see the memories you saw were the ones of your former life. After your death as Naruto, your soul was so twisted by your emotions and, due to the release of energy from the Kyubi, it was sent into a different dimension. Your soul became part of a collective of souls that formed a being known as Homunculus, who eventually became the one you know as 'Father.' However, it has been decided that you deserve a second chance for the life you could have had as Naruto. If it wasn't for certain events, you would have lived a long, happy life and would have even been savior of the world. But, due to Danzo's plotting, you were killed before your time and the Universe is in peril. Now I ask you, will you except my offer to go back?"
Envy stared at the being for a moment before chuckling darkly and saying, "Even if what you showed me is true and I was this 'Naruto' person, why would I ever want to go back to that hellhole?"
Truth sighed and said, "Have you ever wondered why you were so jealous of humans? It's not simply because you reflected your 'Father's' emotions, but because of the life you lead as Naruto. You never had a true family and you were never fully treated as a human for a select few. You always coveted Sauske in that everything seemed to come easily to him and how he achieved the acceptance and recognition you always wanted. That is the reason why you envied humans, and why you hated the Fullmetal Alchemist and his group. They reminded you of the life you once lived: how Edward Elric was so much like Naruto in that he was loud, brash, and loyal to his friends. Mustang and Scar reminded you of Sauske in that they had both arrogance and an obsession with revenge. Hawkeye reminded you of Tsunade in her strength and devotion. All of these and more led you to have a strong hatred and feeling of jealousy towards humans."
"That may be," growled Envy, "but that still doesn't give me a reason to go back you idiot!"
"What about those you care for, what about…Hinata?"
Before Envy's eyes a window appeared in the white space before him that revealed… Konoha.
The very sight filled him with anger. But it also felt comforting in a dark obscure way. There was his old apartment block, there was the Hogake Monument, there was the Ichiraku Ramen Stand, and there was the Academy, there the Cemetery. Every sight familiar and once beloved. It gave a feeling of deja vu. The mirror moved in on the Hyuga Mansion, zooming in on Hinata's room. In the three years she had changed a great deal. Her hair was now down to the small of her back in long dark lavender tresses and her body was clothed in a long light grey and purple jacket with cargo trousers. It appeared she had developed further as well as her breasts were now larger and made her look even more mature and more beautiful.
She was kneeling in front of a small shrine, her hands clasped in prayer. The mirror moved into an over the shoulder view. The shrine was simple, but well kept, as if it was the most important thing in the room. The small alcove contained a small picture of Naruto in a gilt frame, grinning broadly, as well as a bloodstained and filthy Konoha headband, and a pair of chopsticks bound with a velvet bow. Hinata's soft voice echoed out of the mirror, and Envy felt himself weaken at her words.
"Hello, Naruto-kun. I'm sorry but I've been on a mission for a while, so I haven't had a chance to talk to you. Nothing much here as changed since I was here last. Kiba and Shino help me to carry on more and more. Rock Lee helps as well, but sometimes it's just a struggle getting out of bed. Tsunade has changed so much, even more over the last few weeks. I saw Jiraya in the wilderness. He still remembers you fondly, and cried with me when we talked about you. Naruto-kun, I'm so, so sorry. My father wishes me to marry soon. He's even selected a nobleman already. I've told him I don't want to marry, that the only man I'll ever love is gone, but he won't hear of it. I'm sorry Naruto-kun, but it might be that…that we shall meet again soon."
The image cut off after that and Envy turned towards Truth, a show of true anger and grief across his face. "W-WHY WOULD YOU SHOW ME THAT!" he yelled, "Is this because of what I've done in this world?! Is it because I've followed Father?!"
Truth shook his head, "No, nothing as petty as that, I merely wish to show you what awaits should you chose to go back. I assure you it would be better than rotting in Hell for all eternity."
Envy seemed to calm down a bit and said, "Fine…I'll go, but just so you know that if I do, a lot of people are going to know the meaning of the word suffering!"
Truth's smile took on a sinister edge and said, "Oh I'm aware, but you should remember who is guilty and who is innocent. Eighty years of self-satisfaction doesn't seem to make up for an eternity of suffering later. I'd recommend you go to Suna first, an old friend of yours is going to need your help in three days' time. Oh and Envy, don't be surprised if your Philosopher's Stone feels different than before, and if an old acquaintance decides to join you on your journey~!" The last few sentences were said in a disturbingly sing-song voice.
Before the Homunculus could ask the being what it meant by that the large gate behind him slowly opened. He turned around and saw a suffocating darkness surrounding the largest eye he'd ever seen! Suddenly, multiple shadow-like hands reached out and grabbed onto him, pulling him into the gate. Before the doors closed on him, Envy heard Truth give one last goodbye:
"Good luck, Naruto Uzumaki, the Jealous Fox!"
AN: So what do you guys think? I've read quite a few of The Infamous Man's challenge stories, especially the 'What if Naruto was betrayed by Konoha and comes back as one of the Espada' story plot. I even used some scenes from similar stories to help write this fic. I've also seen stories that had 'Naruto is Envy' plots so I figured, why not combine the two? As of now my One Piece story takes priority but I thought I'd get this idea out there. This is my challenge to you, my readers: 'What if Naruto was betrayed by Konoha and comes back as one of the Homunculi?' I hope you all enjoy and I've got a few surprises for next chapter. Please Read and Review!