The Path of the Dead

Hello there, ok this is oficially the first chapter. I hope all of you enjoy it. But before that some words from me. The first thing is that I want to thank to all of you for your reviews and your alerts.

Thanks to my new beta peppermint quartz who is helping me out with the story

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CHAPTER 1:


Naruto’s childhood: the first meeting and the cat called Yoruichi

Five years had passed since the Kyuubi attack and the senkaimon from Soul Society to the Shinobi world had been opened once again.

Soul Society had declared the shinobi world a training ground once again, though only advanced class from the Shinigami Academy and seat members along with at least one captain-level shinigami were allowed in that place. That decision was made after the investigation led by the special forces and the fifth division determined that the world, though not too dangerous, had more hollow activity than normal human souls or Plus activity. The fact that some of these hollows seemed to remember part of their past as shinobi was one of many reasons as to who was allowed to go to that place. Had the investigation headed towards the everyday life in the villages or the shinobi system, the fate of the former heir of the Kazama family could have been found and with it the knowledge of his young son.

Of that Yoruichi was really grateful. And the fact that Naruto was always surrounded by high ranking shinobi that helped him hide his reiatsu was another thing that brought relief to her soul. It had been easy for her to find the boy and even easier to know who the boy was, if not by his looks then by the necklace that hung around his neck. She had investigated what had happened since the day Minato arrived until the day he died.

What Yoruichi found was the main reason that kept her and Urahara from letting Soul Society know about the kid, at least until they could corroborate their theories about the seal, the Kyuubi and Naruto himself. If what Tessai had said about the seal was true, the Kyuubi’s chakra would, little by little, leak into Naruto’s system which could end with the beast being completely fused with the boy. The only positive thing Yoruichi could see was that even if Naruto had access to the Kyuubi’s power, he was still immune to the demon’s influence. But would the Kyuubi be restrained once the seal starts to weaken? Either way she took it upon herself to watch over Naruto, even more when she noticed that people didn’t forget nor forgive and attempts against Naruto’s life had started.

The Sandaime Hokage, for his part, had started his plan for Naruto’s life. He intended the boy to be a good person and a good shinobi. But for that he would need Naruto alive, and that was why he was in his office with Kakashi’s Anbu squad in front of him.

“I am sorry Hokage-sama, but I am a captain…”

“And I am your commander-officer and I am giving you my permission to do it,” interrupted the Sandaime. There was a tense silence after that in which Sarutobi Hiruzen sat there looking impassively at Kakashi.

“I’ll do it.” The Sandaime Hokage diverted his eyes from Kakashi to focus them on a purple-haired woman with a cat mask on. “If it’s not a problem, taichou. Hokage-sama?”

“I don’t think that would be a problem at all, Neko-san, Thank you for offering to do this.” said the Sandaime standing up and walking towards the door. “Neko-san, please followed me, the rest are dismissed.”

With one last glance behind her she turned around to follow the Hokage. Kakashi stood there for a moment, a feeling of guilt and regret overwhelming him before he snapped out of it and disappeared from the Hokage’s office. The Sandaime Hokage and the Anbu officer arrived at the orphanage down the street from where the hospital was located. In a small and cold room was a crib and in it little Naruto was sleeping peacefully. Curled up beside the baby was a black cat that lifted her head only to look at the newcomers before settling down once again.

“Do not worry, the cat is harmless and it seems to like Naruto,” said the Sandaime to a very bewildered Anbu. “This will be your mission until Naruto can have his own place and …take care of himself. When you are on mission another shinobi would be put in your place but from now…he is going to be your top priority.”

“Understood, Hokage-sama,” said the woman, bowing slightly.

“I want to thank you Yugao-san, I have a feeling that Naruto’s life is going to be hard. “ And with that the Hokage left, leaving Yugao with a lot of questions in her mind. She walked towards the crib and let a hand caress the cheek of the baby softly.

“It’s good to meet you Naruto-kun. My name is Yugao and I would make sure nothing bad happen to you.”


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Five years later


“It would be good to work with you!!” said an enthusiastic Naruto stretching his hand towards a very confused Uchiha Itachi.

On the other side of the room were the Sandaime Hokage and a woman with purple hair and a soft smile on her face. The two of them were looking at the scene in front of them with amused expression. It wasn’t everyday that you see an Uchiha made that face. And of course you didn’t see Naruto be that…polite with people. Granted, it wasn’t entirely his fault that people were rude to him and often treated him pretty badly to the point where Naruto almost didn’t care about being courteous.

It had been five years since Yugao was put in charge of Naruto’s security, and in reality she had finished her duty once the boy turned four years old and stayed in his own place. But she couldn’t do it. She loved Naruto. There was something about him that warmed her heart and made her smile. She think it had something to do with seeing him grow up. Some people might think it was for a totally different reason, but she didn’t care what kind of perverted thoughts Anko had. She knew deep down that she wasn’t the only one watching over Naruto’s well-being and having sisterly feelings towards him. Even if Anko denies them.

“It’s a pleasure as well Uzumaki-san.”

Naruto wrinkled his nose in dislike at the way the young Uchiha addressed him.

“Ok, since introductions have been made, I think you three can retire,” said the Hokage with a significant glance towards Yugao who understood immediately what her duty was.

“Very well Hokage-sama,” said Yugao. She and Itachi bowed before walking towards the door.

“Bye, Jii-san!”

“Good-bye Naruto.”

“Ne, Itachi…can you buy me some ramen?” The Sandaime chuckled and shook his head amused. Poor Itachi he didn’t know the amount of ramen Naruto could eat. Sarutobi sighed and a frown appeared on his face. He was worried. He didn’t doubt Itachi’s skills: the boy had proven to everyone that he was a genius, but that sudden interest Fugaku had in Naruto… or at least in his security… no, there was something strange about it , something he would have to comment to Homura, Kohaku and Danzo.

Itachi didn’t know that someone as small as Naruto could actually eat that much. He was really grateful that after the fifth bowl Yugao decided that was enough and she even offered to pay the bill. Of course Itachi didn’t let her. After all, he offered to pay for the food and an Uchiha never went back on his word, much less when it was made to a five-year-old and a lady. They were walking down the street, Naruto a few steps ahead of them. Itachi noticed some of the glares and the whispers that followed the blond boy. What surprised him the most was Naruto’s attitude. He was smiling and walking as if he owned the street without a care in the world. However Itachi also noticed the tensed up muscles and that little gleam that showed Itachi how Naruto alert was. The young Uchiha let out a smirk. He had heard from the other chuunin that the boy didn’t have attributes to be a ninja, but now Itachi had to differ. Naruto wasn’t stupid, just cunning.

“Itachi-san,” Yugao’s voice broke into Itachi’s thoughts. The black-haired boy turned to watch the young woman smiling down at him. “I want to thank you.”

“It was nothing, Yugao-san. I did promise I was going to pay for the food.”

“No, I didn’t mean because of that, though I do thank you for that as well,” said Yugao, Itachi frowned, a little confused. “I was talking about Naruto. He…he doesn’t have many people that really care about him or that show him …kindness.”

“I see. My father said that we shouldn’t blame Uzumaki-san for what …he has,” said Itachi with an expressionless face. Yugao smile at that a little relief that at least the head of the Uchiha clan didn’t have anything against Naruto and that his son had the same feelings. They didn’t like nor dislike Naruto, they simply thought that it was foolish to hate the boy for something he was ignorant of and couldn’t control. That was enough for Yugao. Now she could leave and left Naruto in good and capable hands; she knew that even with his ten years Uchiha Itachi was very capable of the shinobi work.

“That’s good to hear. I already showed you where Naruto lives and now I am going to my apartment. Usually for security reasons I let him stay with me. I thought it would be easier for you if he just stayed in my apartment.”

“That would be ok, yes,” said Itachi.” Would you stay with him tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Then I should start my duty tomorrow morning,” said Itachi.

“Ok, do not forget he has to go to the Academy so he would probably be there.” There was a moment of silence when Itachi turned to see Naruto and a black cat that was …watching him?

“Yoruichi-chan!!!!” Itachi was really grateful that he was a trained ninja, otherwise he would have jumped at the scream that could be heard down the street which earned Naruto even more scornful glares. The black cat jumped into Naruto’s arms and the boy hugged the cat while wearing a soft and very calm smile, very different from the one Itachi had seen a few minutes ago.

“What is that?” asked Itachi.

Yugao giggled a little. “That’s Naruto’s cat…well, friend, according to him,” said Yugao. “Do not worry, the cat is harmless. Her name is Yoruichi and if you don’t want Naruto to be angry at you…don’t mess with her.”

“Uh?” It wasn’t the most intelligent thing he should have said but it was the only thing he was capable of at the moment.

“Hokage-sama said that one day, a woman dressed up as a nurse tried to kill Naruto while he was still a little baby. When the Anbu and Hokage-sama arrived the woman was unconscious over the broken door of Naruto’s room and the cat was there.” Yugao said, shrugging after the explanation. “That was all I could get. Since then the cat would appear once in a while and ever since Naruto could talk, he named her Yoruichi and they have been together.”

“How? I mean, the cat shouldn’t be dead by now?” asked a very confused Itachi.

“Mmhmm, good question. I never stopped to consider that,” said Yugao, “but like I said, Yoruichi is harmless and Naruto loves her. So, if you value your peace of mind, don’t bother them.”

“I see. Well, if you said the cat is harmless…” Itachi turned to see once again the black cat and he couldn’t help but frown. There was something off about that cat, something that made him feel weird, but he didn’t know what it could possibly be.

“Yes, thank you again for taking care of Naruto, Itachi-san.”

“It’s my duty as a shinobi and it seems like it’s going to get really interesting,” said Itachi, eyeing Naruto and the cat before directing his black eyes to Yugao. “I’ll see you in two weeks, Yugao-san. Don’t worry, I will take care of Naruto.”

With that said Itachi turned around and started making his way back to the Uchiha compound. Itachi had a lot of things to consider after his first meeting with Uzumaki Naruto. There were so many things that could be said about the blond boy, and now about that cat of his. Why did Itachi felt so weird about that feline? It was a simple animal, nothing else.

“Good afternoon Itachi.”

The black-haired boy lift his head to find himself face to face with his father who was looking down at him with a curious twinkle in his eyes. “ Tell me, how did it go with young Uzumaki-san? Did you found anything interesting?”

“No, it was pretty normal. It seems you were right, father, the boy has not idea of what he has or what he could do in a near future with it.”

Fugaku smiled at that and step aside to let his older son entered their house. Once in his room Itachi looked out the window and couldn’t help but wonder at how easy had been to lie to his father. Yes, Uchiha Itachi knew that there was more about Uzumaki Naruto that met the eye. But his father didn’t need to know that.


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The next morning Naruto woke up at the sound of a soft and amused voice calling out to him. The little boy stirred in the warm and clean bed and let one eye open to see who was disturbing his sleep. It was a woman with purple hair and dark skin; her eyes were wide open and shining with amusement and affection. Naruto opened his eyes completely and jumped directly in the woman’s arms.

“Yoruichi-chan!!” said the boy hugging the woman as if his life depended on it. Yoruichi couldn’t help but hug him back.

“Naru-chan, how are you doing this morning?” she asked. The boy lifted his head and smiled brightly at her.

“I’m ok…I missed you a lot! But now you’re here and my birthday is close!” said the boy, letting go of Yoruichi and jumping up and down. The woman laughed at his antics.

“Now, now, you don’t really think I would forget your fifth birthday, do you? It is a very important date for me.”

“Really?” asked Naruto and Yoruichi had to suppress the growl that wanted to escape her mouth; he shouldn’t be surprised at that. He should be used to people thinking his birthday was special.

“Of course it is, and it seems this girl thinks so too,” said Yoruichi, pointing to an orange enveloped with a big card that the word Naruto written all over it.

Naruto walked towards it with his blue eyes wide open and a shocked expression in his face. He stretched a trembling hand towards the gift and opened it very carefully as if afraid that the gift could disappear or break at any moment. Yoruichi clenched her fists and her jaw tightened. She had wanted to take Naruto away from that world, ever since she first saved his life, but Urahara had been right. Naruto was too young and the consequences of trying to bring out the shinigami inside Naruto were too dangerous to even consider doing so.

“Wow! Is…is it really for me?”

Yoruichi turned to see a pair of goggles in Naruto’s hand. He was eyeing them with a huge smile on his face. She grinned, locking her anger tight in her chest. “Yes they are. Your friend left them for you with a card and everything, didn’t she?”

Naruto nodded and hugged the goggles gleefully. “These are so cool!”

“Yes, they are. How have you been Naruto?” The serious question made little Naruto glance aside and then he let a grin appear on his face.

“I am better now that Yoruichi-chan is here!” The woman ruffled Naruto’s hair in an affectionate gesture.

“I am okay, now that I get to see you brat!”

“I am not a brat, in a few days I would be six years old!”

“Oh, and that makes you an adult?” teased Yoruichi.

Naruto wrinkled his nose and retorted, “No, but it means I am older and not a brat.”

Yoruichi chuckled at that and knelt in front of Naruto.

“Ok, Mister, then go and take a bath and get ready to go to that ninja academy of yours.”

“Ok.”Naruto was about to leave when he stopped and turned to looked at Yoruichi, “Ne, Yoruichi-chan, would you tell me one of those stories I like later? “

“Mmmmhmm, fine, but I am not only going to tell you stories about Shinigami and Hollows…” Yoruichi looked with mischief at the little boy that was eyeing her curiously.

“What else are you gonna do?”

“I am going to start your training-” Yoruichi didn’t have the opportunity to finish that sentence when a high-pitched scream resounded through the apartment and the boy started jumping up and down again. Yoruichi shook her head, amused, and saw the boy disappear behind the bathroom door.


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It was late in the afternoon and Itachi had been doing his duty as Naruto’s guardian. It had been a very long day and it wasn’t until then that the young Uchiha had noticed to what extent people could hate and discriminate. Naruto wasn’t allowed in many of the restaurants or normal shops in the village; those he was allowed in charged him prices that were higher than the actual price.

The boys of Naruto’s age weren’t any better. Whether it was due to their parents’ interference or influence Itachi wasn’t sure, but they were mean towards Naruto, not letting him play with them and usually fought him. Things only got worse as the week went by and people started to remember that fateful five years ago. In the week Itachi had stopped three sneak attacks on the boy and punished the malefactors roundly for being such cowards and bullies. What surprised the young Uchiha was that the black cat Yoruichi that always seemed to follow Naruto and acted with hostility to those who glared at or bad-mouthed the boy. And Yugao had been right: mess with the cat and Naruto wasn’t the foul-mouthed boy everyone liked to pick fights with. But that wasn’t the most intriguing thing at all, oh no.

Uzumaki Naruto was always full of surprises.

Two days before the tenth of October, Naruto was sitting in a swing near the main park of Konoha. As always he was alone watching the other kids play or laughed with other kids or their parents. Sometimes Itachi felt the urge to go to the blond and talk to him but his duty forbade him from doing so. The black cat was sitting beside the blond and Naruto was playing with the goggles he said had been a gift from Yugao.

That was when three children three years older than Naruto approached the boy. They had scornful looks when they got closer to Naruto. Itachi tensed up, ready to act if he needed to.

“You are on my swing.” Naruto lift his eyes to watch a black-haired boy who stared at the blond child arrogantly while the others smirked.

“It’s not yours. This is a park and the Hokage owns it,” said Naruto with a frown on his face. The older boy didn’t seem to like that and leaned menacingly towards Naruto who narrowed his eyes a little.

“It seems the idiot doesn’t know his place. Boys like you without parents or family don’t belong in this place,“ said the boy harshly. Naruto looked away, hurt by the comment. Yoruichi lifted her head and tensed up, sweeping her tail in a wide swath letting out a low yowl.

“Hey, it seem like he has my goggles too,” said another of the boys, taking Naruto’s goggles from him. Yoruichi was about to jump at the boy, but unfortunately she didn’t see the other boy who had thrown a small rock at her.

“You hurt her! Yoruichi-chan!!” screamed Naruto with tears in his eyes. The others merely laughed at that.

“Yoruichi-chan!” mimicked one of them mockingly. “Pathetic!! And you said you want to be a ninja??”

Angry, Naruto stood up and threw a punch at the laughing boy but the others were bigger and faster than him. One of the boys punched him in the eye and the other kicked Naruto in the stomach.

“Hey watch it idiot!” yelled one of them, landing another punch.

“I am going to kick you and then I am going to kick that cat of yours…or maybe I’ll take it with me. I am sure my sister would like it. The animal needs a decent home and good people. Not monsters like you!!”

Naruto was on the ground, silent tears rolling down his face. His eyes hurt a little as did his stomach and his lip. He saw Yoruichi on the ground and more tears appeared in his eyes. That was when he heard it a strange voice hissing at him.

Pathetic…

Move, quickly!

He didn’t know who it was or where it had come from but he heard a voice, of that he was certain. Unfortunately he didn’t pay attention to the words and he felt a kick on his back.

Useless…

Told you! Move now!!

And he did it, and this time there was no pain and the kick landed on the ground where he had been seconds before. He looked up to see the same boys trying to kick him again.

You are weak and pathetic. Human…is this how you fight? How you try to protect those you care about?

Shut up! Naruto stand up now!!

And Naruto did, but he was confused. Who was talking to him? Why it was talking to him? Distracted, he didn’t notice the punch until it landed on his right cheek.

Stupid! I don’t care if you’re a kid, fight!

Shut up, you’re making him nervous!

Weak, useless pathetic, humans and shinigami are all the same!!

“Shut up!!!” screamed Naruto at the voice. Naruto grabbed his head that was starting to hurt not only because of the punches but of the screams that seem to be coming from inside his head. “Shut up!! Shut up!!!”

The other boys stood wide-eyed at the blond’s scream, a little afraid that maybe what their parents had told them about the blond was true. Itachi and Yoruichi narrowed their eyes at the same time.

“H-hey!! Who…who are you telling to shut up??”

Careful, he’s going to launch another punch.

Naruto opened his eyes in time to evade the punch. He was about to fight back when a bigger figure appeared and grabbed his wrist with such force, Naruto whimpered in pain.

“You filthy scum! What were you gonna do to my son??” shouted the man in outrage. “I should kill you now!” The man stopped short at the chilly feel of a blade on his neck. He turned around to see red eyes glaring at him.

“You were about to break the law and to harm an innocent boy who has been harassed by your son.”

“You… this thing is not innocent.” said the man with more bravery that he felt. Naruto winced in pain once again at the hand clenching his.

“Let him go before I feel in the need to hurt you,” said Itachi with a cold voice that sent shivers down everyone’s spines.

The man let go of Naruto and the blond fell to the ground. Naruto immediately stood up and ran to the boy who had his goggles and grabbed them back.

The red-eyed man lifted one eyebrow. “Now, I suggest you leave. Consider this your first and last warning. Next time I am not going to be so merciful.”

The man left with his son and the other kids. Naruto ran towards Yoruichi and lifted her in his arms, hugging her tearfully. Itachi saw the scene and couldn’t help but felt a little responsible and guilty. If he had acted sooner maybe he could have prevented the fight and the cat from being hurt. On the other hand, he was grateful he didn’t do it. Otherwise he would never have witnessed that little scene nor felt what he felt. That pressure was definitely different from all he knew so far.

“I’m sorry Yoruichi-chan, I’m so sorry!” said the boy sobbing a little, “I should protect you!!”

The cat pressed her face against Naruto’s body rubbing her head a little. Itachi neared Naruto and extended a hand towards him.

“I am sorry, Uzumaki-san. Please let me take you to Yugao-san’s apartment and treat your injuries.” Naruto nodded and followed the young Uchiha; neither of them noticed the shadow that was watching them from afar.


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“Want to talk about it?” asked the cat rubbing her face against Naruto’s chest. The boy merely shrugged and looked everywhere but at the cat sat on his legs. “Naruto, I already told you that it was ok. I am not angry with you and I don’t blame you for what happened a few days back.”

“I let them hurt you.” He said as if that settled the topic.

“Naruto, you are only six years old,” said Yoruichi. Naruto pouted at that because his birthday had just passed. He thought he was big enough now to fight; after all he did go to the ninja academy and was learning how to be a ninja, even if some of his teachers weren’t nice to him.

“I am a ninja!” he exclaimed.

“You are training to be a ninja,” Yoruichi reminded him.

“I know.” Naruto sighed. “I just wish I was strong and I could make them look at me with respect.”

They fell silent for a moment and just enjoyed their surroundings. They had escaped from Itachi’s watchful eye and were now in a clearing near Konoha’s east door. It was past noon and Naruto decided that he didn’t want to be in the village, not really liking the hateful glares throw his way. That was how they ended up there, without Itachi and free to talk with each other.

“Ne, Yoruichi-chan, you said you were gonna train me,” said the boy shyly which only made Yoruichi remember something she had meant to ask Naruto.

“Yes, and I would do it. “ Naruto smiled brightly at her but before he could say anything Yoruichi continue, “But I want you to answer me something”

“What is it?”

“To whom were you talking back at the park while you were fighting those kids?”

Naruto looked confused for a moment, not really knowing what Yoruichi was asking about until…

I think she is talking about me.

Then Naruto’s eyes opened wide with realization and he looked down at Yoruichi who was scrutinizing him critically.

“I don’t know…it was a voice inside my head,” he said softly, then inquired, “Am I crazy? Is that why they called me monster and scum and all those mean things?”

Yoruichi’s gaze softened and she rubbed her head against Naruto’s chest once again.

“No, you are not a monster or any other nasty names they call you Naruto. If anything you are a hero.”

“A hero?”

“Yes, but before I tell you that story…has that voice talk to you since then?”

“Yes, it just spoke. He said you are talking about him,” said Naruto.

“You mean it just talked to you?”

“Yep, but that day it wasn’t the only one that talk.” said Naruto with a frown and Yoruichi lifted an interested eyebrow.

“There was another voice?”

“Yes, but I didn’t like it. It was really nasty and it made my head hurt,” said the boy, then as an afterthought Naruto looked down at Yoruichi. “Do you know that voice?”

“Well, partly.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you remember what I told you about shinigami and zanpakutou?”

“Yes.”

Another silence. This time neither of them talked for a good five minutes. Naruto was getting restless and poked Yoruichi in the side.

“Ne, are you going to tell me?” he said pouting a little.

“Yes, but not now. Your watch-dog is here. Just remember this, that voice, not the nasty one but the other, you can trust it, do not ever doubt of it.”

Naruto nodded, not really understanding but trusting Yoruichi. Then a few moments later Itachi appeared. The black-haired boy had a panicked look on him. When his eyes locked with Naruto’s, the blond could see the anger there but also the concern.

“Uzumaki-san, you scared me the hell a lot! “ The Uchiha kneeled in front of Naruto. The boy tensed up a little, then something happened that Naruto had never seen the Uchiha do before. Itachi leaned over and gave him a short hug and soft smile.

“I am glad you’re okay, but please, Uzumaki-san, don’t do that ever again,” he said. “At least not when I am watching over you.”

“Sorry Itachi, it’s just that Yoruichi can hunt butterflies in here.”

“I see. Well. It is getting late; we’d better go back to the village.” said Itachi turning around and showing his back to Naruto. “Go on, Uzumaki-san, climb on me. I’ll carry you to the village.”

“Yay!”


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The two weeks passed quickly and without any more incidents. The only thing that had changed was Itachi’s view of Naruto. At first he had accepted the mission his father and the Uchiha clan had put upon him, to watch and determine the real status of Uzumaki Naruto. The reason, his father had made it pretty clear, was to bring the Uchiha clan to what it used to be. They would need a very strong weapon by their side, which was why Naruto was so important. Itachi, for some reason, had become very fond of Naruto, and that was his reason for lying to his father, just as he had lied about Sasuke’s potential. After those two weeks with Naruto and the information he gave his father, Fugaku seems a little more apprehensive about everything. However it seemed that it wasn’t enough. While they weren’t going to use the blond yet, it was certain that Naruto would play a big part on his clan’s future.

At the end of those two weeks and after his reunion with his father and the other members of the Uchiha, he found himself in front of the Hokage and the three elders: Homura, Koharu and Danzo. After a brief talk with them, he found himself accepting the mission for the greater good of the village, Naruto and Sasuke. After all, how bad could it be to spy on his own clan?

Naruto for his part had started what Yoruichi called control of his reiatsu. Whatever that reiatsu thing was; Naruto could feel it but didn’t have any idea what it was, how it worked or why only him had it. At first he thought it would be a form of ninja training with chakra and all but it seems that the woman had another thing in mind. However, when that training started Naruto was glad of the explanations Yoruichi made and the answers he had obtained. He had been wondering for a long time about all these things but didn’t dare to ask. For example, he learnt about the Plus or human souls were those people he usually saw with chains attached to their chest. He also knew why he heard growls or howls late at night and sometimes during the day; she called them Hollows and told Naruto that they were evil. Ok, she said a lot more about them but to Naruto, in the end, it just meant that they were evil.

“You are getting better with this Naru-chan.”

“Thanks!” said Naruto, smiling brightly at Yoruichi, “Yugao-chan said that as well, but she was talking about me throwing kunai to the target.

“That’s good to hear,” said the woman. she was in Naruto’s apartment and was pretty sure that none was present. She watched Naruto carefully before kneeling in front of him. “I have to go for a little while.”

Naruto’s happy expression changed to one of sadness. “Do you have to?”

“Yes. There is an important matter that needs my immediate presence.”

Naruto hesitated a moment or two before saying. “Can you…take me with you? I promise I would be good!”

Yoruichi winced a little, she knew Naruto would be good, and she would love to take the boy away from that place and never come back, but this was not the time.

“Sorry Naruto, not this time,” she said, hugging the boy. “I would be back though and I expect you to be stronger by then. Do not forget to practice this.”

“Ok.”

Yoruichi leaned over and kissed Naruto’s forehead before transforming herself back into her cat form.

“Take care Naruto. Do not forget that I will be back.”

“I know. Bye Yoruichi-chan, when you’re back I will be stronger and have mastered this!!”

“I know you will,” she said fondly, and with that Yoruichi left.


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Unfortunately things weren’t that easy for him in the next week. While attempts against his life had stopped long ago, that didn’t stop people from trying to harm him in other ways that usually led him to the hospital.

That night had been one of those moments in which Naruto barely escaped from his pursuers. Naruto was hiding behind some trash cans outside a pub where the sounds of party had died long ago. In his left hand he had the necklace that had always been his and with the other he was trying to wipe away the tears. He had promised himself he would never cry again, he had entered the ninja academy for that. He had promised Yoruichi-chan he would become stronger and not let other people make him cry or call him mean names. Another tear escape his closed eyes and a little sob followed it. ‘I wish Yoruichi-chan was here,’ thought the little boy.

A presence, followed by the sound of soft footsteps called Naruto’s attention. The blond lifted his head and tried to hide himself while at the same time observing the newcomer. It was a girl. To Naruto, the girl was really beautiful, even more than Sakura from the Academy. She had her hair pulled up with a bang on the left side of her face, she had glasses and was wearing black clothes resembling those he had see in some pictures and really important people wear. She stood there as if looking for something and Naruto couldn’t help but feel curiously drawn to her. The girl moved in the direction opposite of where Naruto was, never noticing the small paper that fell from her sleeve.

It didn’t matter how curious or how drawn he was to her. Naruto had learnt a long time ago that appearances could be deceiving and that usually ended up with him on the hospital or in a corner on his apartment, injured and bleeding. So he moved slowly and without making any sound, he picked up the piece of paper. He followed the young woman for some time.

“Mmmm…seems like you have a young stalker Nanao-chan.”

The woman and the boy jumped at the same time. Both were startled and shocked at the newcomer’s words. Naruto turned around to see an older man, with a playful smile on his face and his eyes fixed on Naruto. He was wearing a pink haori and a straw hat. Naruto had to blink several times to convince himself that in front of him was an old man with a pink article on him.

“Taichou!” exclaimed Nanao with a reproachful look and was about to lecture him for scaring her like that when his words sank in and she noticed the boy and his taichou looking at one another.

Naruto felt a little uneasy. The man hadn’t taken his eyes off him and while the man seemed to be merely surprised and inquisitive, Naruto didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing. After all, it was still October and it was around that month when the most horrible and unexpected things happened to him.

“You…you dropped this,” said Naruto shyly, turning towards the woman who was gaping at him, shocked.

“You... you can see me? You can see us?” Naruto frowned, a little confused at that weird question. Of course he could see them, why wouldn’t he?

“Of course I can see you!” exclaimed Naruto crossing his arms and pouting. “I was trying to help, sorry if I bothered you.”

“Oh, you have to forgive Nanao-chan, it isn’t everyday a young man as yourself help a damsel in distress like her,” replied the weird looking man which in turn earned him a smack on the head with a fan from said damsel. Naruto chuckled at that and the woman was a little flustered at what she had just done while the man was whining about how cruel his Nanao-chan was. Then he was back to that serious look.

“Oh, if it is not much trouble… could you let me see that necklace you have there?”

Naruto narrowed his eyes and grabbed his necklace with one hand. If there was something that could make him doubt people’s intention was that necklace. In the past he had trusted some adults who later on wanted to rob him of his most precious possession.

“Sorry sir, but I was told by Anbu-chan that I wasn’t allowed to talk with strangers,” said Naruto.

“How rude of me” said the man, smiling slightly, “My name is Kyouraku Shunsui, and this lovely woman over here is Nanao-chan.”

“Ise Nanao,” rectified the woman with a hard look towards her taichou who merely smiled.

Naruto hesitated for a moment, looking from the man to the woman before answering. “I am Uzumaki Naruto. But even if I know your name I won’t let you look at my necklace”

This made Nanao giggle. The little boy wasn’t a fool at all, and the expression on her taichou’s face was priceless. Naruto looked curiously at Nanao before letting a small smile appear on his face. He added, “But Nanao-chan can see it!!”

Now that made the young woman laughed and her taichou brood a little.

“Can you at least tell me who gave it to you?” asked a defeated Kyouraku. Naruto seems to think about it before nodding his head. He was starting to like these people.

“Hokage-jii said this was a gift from my father.”

“Your father? Who was it?”

“I don’t know…I am an orpham ...ormphan...Mm...”

“Orphan?” offered Nanao with an odd hint of sadness. Naruto nodded but it was a smile that appeared on his face rather than a sad expression.

“Then, how do you know it was your father’s?” Kyouraku pressed on.

“Hokage-jii said it was and that I should treasure it,” answered the little boy.

Kyouraku and Nanao looked at each other for a moment before Kyouraku knelt in front of Naruto who tensed up, fearing the worst. But, the only thing the man did was to put a gentle hand on the blond’s head.

“Your father gave you a very important gift. You should treasure it with your life.”

Naruto looked at him in great surprise. It was the first time someone touched him like that and said those things to him. He had seen so many fathers with their sons and that same gesture repeatedly played out. Naruto nodded and gave the man a small grin before opening his hand, but to his surprise the man closed Naruto’s hand again around the pendant.

“No, you were right Naruto. I am a stranger. Maybe after we get to know each other better you can let me see it.”

“Thank you,” mumbled Naruto. He felt his eyes grow hot and had a lump in his throat.

“Naruto-kun!!!” The three of them lifted their heads to see a woman with a mask on her face running towards them. Kyouraku stood up and beside him Nanao got into combat position. The man smiled at Naruto.

“You should go over to that lovely woman who’s calling you,” he urged. Naruto nodded and dedicate the two figures a real smile.

“Bye, Ojii-san, Nanao-chan!!” And with that Naruto went to the Anbu.

“Naruto!! Where have you been?? You have three Anbu squadrons looking for you,” said the woman who couldn’t help but hug the boy.

“I’m ok Anbu-chan,”

“Do not do that ever again, when I arrived at your apartment and saw that mess…don’t do that, you know next time you should go to the Hokage tower or my place!” Naruto nodded and grabbed the Anbu’s hand, before he turned around and waved enthusiastically behind him. The Anbu turned around but saw nothing. “What are you doing Naruto?”

“Saying good bye,”

“To whom?” Naruto looked at the place where Nanao and Kyouraku were waving back at him and then at the Anbu who really seemed to not know to whom he was saying bye. That was when Naruto understood that the two people he had met were souls. So, it didn’t surprise Naruto at all that the Anbu couldn’t see them. After all, he knew that the Anbu couldn’t hear the screams at night or see people with chains on their chest like he could. So, Naruto shrugged before lifting his arms and putting on his special “puppy eyes”.

“Can you carry me, please?” he pleaded pathetically. The woman sighed but did it anyway. She was thinking while carrying the blond boy, wondering to whom he was waving and if she should be worried about it. She never noticed the shadow up in the roofs and that the figure was wondering the same thing as her.

‘To whom were you talking, Naruto?’ thought the figure, worried about the implications of talking to no one in particular, or at least, to someone that no one could see.

Back to where Kyouraku and Nanao stood, the woman turned to face her taichou whose smile had been replaced by a contemplative look.

“Taichou? What happened back there?”

“Nanao-chan, I have to go back to Soul Society. There is something I need to do,” said the captain of the 8th division seriously, which caught Nanao by surprise. “Can you do me a favor?”

“Of course Taichou.”

Kyouraku lowered the brim of his hat. “Look up everything you can about Uzumaki Naruto,” Nanao’s eyes widened with surprise at that request. She was about to ask why when her taichou stopped her. “I would explain everything to you once I am back from Soul Society. Please do as I ask you.”

“Don’t worry Taichou, I’ll do it.”


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The Hokage sighed and lifted his glance from the paperwork he had in front of him. “Is something the matter Kakashi?”

A new figure appeared from behind the old man. He was dressed in the customary Anbu uniform, but his mask was on his left hand.

“Forgive my intrusion, Hokage-sama, but…” Kakashi trailed off, wondering if it would be right to share his worries with the man. After all, the shinobi knew about the affection the man had for little Naruto. “There is something that has been bothering me from quite some time.”

“I see, and what could that be?” Sarutobi lifted his eyebrows, really interested in what could worry the lackadaisical Kakashi.

“Yesterday when we were looking for Naruto…well, I found him even before Yugao-san, and he was talking to himself.”

That statement surprised Sarutobi even more. That Kakashi would be worried because little Naruto was talking to himself was...a little ridiculous. He was a kid after all, and moreover a kid without friends or family to talk with. To have an imaginary friend or a cat to talk with, while it may be not that healthy, was normal to certain extent. That was why he was really grateful to Yugao, because so far she was the only human being apart from the people at the ramen stand who would talk to Naruto.

“Ok, Kakashi, you will have to forgive me if I found your concern a little unnecessary.”

“But, Hokage-sama, aren’t you a little worried that he …that he is communicating with it?” asked Kakashi.

“Now I get it,” said Sarutobi, understanding Kakashi’s concern. The Kyuubi no Kitsune. Truth be told, Sarutobi would be worried if Jiraiya hadn’t told him how the seal Minato used worked. “Then, there is nothing to worry about.”

“But…”

“Don’t you trust in your sensei to do the right thing with the seal, Kakashi?”

Kakashi frown uncomfortable, he didn’t like when people brought up is sensei into the conversation. It wasn’t like he didn’t trust his sensei. On the contrary, he believed that the man did excellent work. But Kakashi didn’t trust the fox or his sensei’s son for that matter. Naruto was, after all, a boy and a lonely one at that. He was hated and rejected and usually those kinds of feelings made people grow up in the wrong way. That was why he was so worried when he heard Naruto talked to himself.

“I do trust Minato-sensei, Hokage-sama. However you weren’t there when Naruto started talking or the day he suddenly screamed a ‘shut up’ to someone that wasn’t there.”

“Very well, what did he said?”

“I couldn’t hear the entire conversation but I did hear when he said that he wasn’t allowed to talk with strangers. He mentioned the fact that he was an orphan and that you told him about his father’s gift.”

Sarutobi couldn’t help the smile that appeared when Kakashi mention the strangers’ part, but his face change into one of seriousness when Kakashi end his story.

“I couldn’t hear anything else, since I sense that Yugao was near. “

“I see,” Sarutobi went silent for a few seconds, contemplating the possibilities. At first sight it would seem like Naruto was talking with some imaginary friend, nothing to worry about …but, that necklace… Sarutobi sighed. Not even Jiraiya knew where Minato had found that necklace and why he decided to give it to Naruto. He remembered, however, Jiraiya’s frown when he tried to take it from baby Naruto.

“It seems to me that this could be just something temporary.”

“Like the cat?” snorted Kakashi with a hint of annoyance in his voice. The Hokage lifted a single eyebrow at the man who apologized promptly.

“Maybe, after you returned from this mission, you would like to watch young Naruto to see if this behavior continues. Don’t you agree?”

Kakashi nodded before putting his mask on and disappearing. The Hokage lifted his gaze towards the Hokage Monument and let his gaze rest on the face of the Yondaime Hokage. ‘It seems like your son inherited your habit to talk to no one in particular…at least that is what I hope for.’


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Kyouraku entered the 13th division where his best friend was resting once again. Inside his room were the two loyal third seats, Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentarô Kotsubaki, and the young sister of the taichou of the 6th division.

After a silent glance with a very polite smile the three shinigami took the hint and stood up, apologizing with some excuse before leaving both taichou and old friend alone. Ukitake Juushirou was really surprise by this. He could count on one hand the times that Kyouraku had done exactly the same thing and usually it only brought problems to both of them. Kyouraku pulled out a bottle of sake before looking straight ahead with a pensive look that in reality didn’t suit him at all.

“Is it something the matter Kyouraku?” asked Ukitake curiously.

Kyouraku looked at his friend with a small smile before saying, “Do you remember Hikifune Kirio-chan?”

Ukitake sat straight, his calm posture now a little tense at that question. He looked up to see Kyouraku right in the eye before nodding his head.

“Of course I remember her, she was the former captain of the twelfth division, she was transferred to …the zero division.”

“Yes, do you remember her maiden name?” Now this situation was getting stranger by the minute and Ukitake only wanted Kyouraku to get straight to the point. Knowing his friend, it was better if he just humored him for a little while.

“Kazama, her maiden name was Kazama,” said Ukitake, then as an afterthought, “that’s the clan in charge of the Kidou Corps right? And if I am not wrong they are the best with seals which gained them the position of the sealers in Soul Society.”

Kyouraku smiled, nodding at his friend before taking a sip from his sake. Once again the taichou of the eighth division became silent and contemplative. He was thinking how to express his concern to his best friend, because whatever he said right now he knew would end up in Yama-jii’s hands sooner or later, so he better be right about it. Kyouraku hesitated for a moment before meeting Ukitak’e gaze.

“What would you say if I told you that I found Kazama Minato… or at least his son?”

“You…you what?” blurted Ukitake, shocked.

“It appears that I have found the whereabouts of Minato-kun. I found this kid with the same pendant Kirio-chan gave to little Minato when he was named head of the clan,” said Kyouraku. “Not only that, you should see him; if it wasn’t for the whiskers marks he would be the exact copy of Minato-kun.”

“Are you…are you certain?”

“Yes, but I would be probably have proof of that after Nanao-chan’s investigation”

“Are you planning to tell him?”

“You mean Arashi-san?” Ukitake nodded. “No, I would probably talk with Yama-jii first.”

“You think it is wise?” asked Ukitake after a while.” I mean, after the way he left and all. “

“Mmm, I don’t know, but there has been a lot of coincidences lately, and the appearance of a possible heir of Minato-kun is just the tip of the iceberg.”


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Edited 23-01-09