Konoha’s
Guardians : Book I : Awaken
Chapter
01 – Memories’ Warnings
Naruto panted heavily as he wiped stray strands of sweat-soaked hair away from his eyes. He glanced quickly at his teammates, but both were still sound asleep. He let out a breath of relief and buried his face in his hands. The images had been haunting him every night since his fight with Haku. Images of Sasuke shielding him… of Sasuke falling dead… feelings of rage at the loss of someone precious to him… and then there was the voice. His voice. Kyuubi.
Ever since that fight, ever since he had first taped Kyuubi’s power, Kyuubi had spoken to him. At first Naruto had thought it was merely a dream, a figment of his imagination, but his voice was too real. Naruto’s breathing calmed as warmth slowly filled him from the memory of what Kyuubi had told him. He was not a demon, he did not carry a demon within him. No, their bond meant much more then the simple sealing of a demon. He had been right, he was not a demon, and tomorrow when they arrived back in Konoha he would work to prove it to everyone.
His resolve to continue on his chosen path to being a ninja strengthened, Naruto relaxed and soon drifted back to sleep, awaiting the dawn in pleasant slumber.
Across the room, in the shadows, leaning against the wall, the silver haired Jounin smiled as he watched his often loud and hyperactive student. To be honest, he had been worried about the boy. Worried that the burst of power from the nine-tails may have hurt him in some unseen way, but all appeared well. Naruto was strong in heart, mind, and soul, and he was a survivor. With his worries eased Kakashi settled back to follow his student’s example and sleep the rest of the night away.
**********
Sandaime Hokage stood staring at the Hokage monument, particularly the face of the Fourth. He had come here to think ever since he’d heard the full detailed report of Genin Team Seven’s C-turned-A rank mission in the Wave Country. A mission that had resulted in the near death of Uchiha Sasuke, and the true awakening of the nine-tails power within Naruto. There had been something in the Jounin’s report that had stuck out though.
“… it didn’t feel evil—just furious,
and even though Naruto had thought Sauske was dead, he still had control,”
Kakashi told him, his voice taking an odd quality.
The Third had didn’t doubt that Kakashi suspected the truth of Naruto’s parentage, and thus kept a slightly closer eye on the boy then he might have otherwise. It was only natural that he’d begin to notice certain similarities between his old friends and his student. That was fine. After all Hatake Kakashi had been close to the Fourth and his wife. If circumstances had been different… Sandaime sighed. No, keeping the boy’s family history secret was still crucial, though not his biggest concern at the moment.
The truth about the nine-tails sealed within Naruto was much more prominent, and there were definite signs that something big was going on. Something that Team Seven would no doubt be caught in the very center of. He had better send for Jiraiya. As much as Kakashi may want to protect and guide Naruto and the rest of his team, he would have enough on his hands with Sauske alone, especially now that the boy’s Sharingan had been awakened.
The Third studied the monument for a few moments more. You may have been right, Yondaime. There may have been much more to the appearance of the nine-tails than we knew. His eyes stared off in the distance as he recalled the events that lead to the Fourth’s death just over twelve years ago…
“Are
you sure this is the only way? It won’t be easy on him at all…” Sandaime told
the Fourth as he prepared himself to face the nine-tails.
“I know, but it’s the only option right now. Besides, the life of a shinobi is never easy, even for the young,” the Fourth responded as he finished. “Uzumaki, that’s the family name I want him to use…”
“Your
mother’s family name? But—”
“It’s
for his own safety. This way at least he’ll be protected from anyone trying
to get back at me through him. He’ll have enough to face with the nine-tails
sealed in him, let alone what an enemy may try to do if they knew who his
parents were. No, it’s for the best that he doesn’t carry my name, until he’s
able to protect himself that is.”
Sandaime
sighed. The Fourth was right; “I’ll do my best to keep him safe without giving
his heritage away.”
“I
know you will. Don’t tell Jiraiya, Tsunade, or even Kakashi. They’ll want
to protect him, and that will only draw further attention to him. I don’t
want Orochimaru or a similar enemy to find out the truth and use him against
the village. He’ll have to learn how to defend himself and control the nine-tails
power.”
The
Third nodded. It would be hard, but he would manage it.
Yondaime
gazed down at the blond-haired, blue-eyed baby boy, smiled, and then turned
for the door and was gone.
Within
an hour, it was over and Sandaime was faced with the duties of announcing
the Fourth’s sacrifice and the sealing of the nine-tails within a newborn.
He would also be announcing the death of the Fourth’s wife and their newborn
during childbirth. The news would crush many, but it would protect Uzumaki
Naruto and give him a chance at life.
Sandaime shook himself out of the memory and turned away from the monument to go back to his office. That had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done, but he wouldn’t change it if he could. Both he and the Fourth had done what they felt best for the good of Konoha, but now he’d best get a messenger sent off to find Jiraiya. A simple one phrased note would do… and then perhaps a chat with Enma was in order as well. If anyone knew much about the lore and legend of the animal spirits, it would be one of the clan or tribe leaders, and it was crucial that he find out if there truly was more to the nine-tails appearance.