Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Light in the Darkness ❯ Red Shadow ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer-I don't own Naruto... If i did then Toonami wouldn't have the rights to it and Adult Swim would....

 

KEY

~ scene change

bold - Kyubbi speech

italics - flashback

'blah' - thoughts

“blah” - regular speech

bold with ' ' - Kyubbi thoughts

 

 

Chapter 2

Red Shadow

 

It has been four years since the day that the village of Konoha felt the fear of Kyubbi's return. It was a year and a week ago today, that the newest ninjas had graduated from the Ninja Academy and had been put into their teams. Team 10 which consisted of Sarutobi Asuma(jounin) Yamanaka Ino(genin), Nara Shikamaru(genin), Akimichi Chouji(genin), advanced at an average pace.... no thanks to Asuma who preferred to play Go with Shika. Team 8 under Yuuhi Kurenai(jounin) consisted of Inuzuka Kiba(genin), Hyuuga Hinata(genin), Aburame Shino(genin). Team 9 also known as Team Gai (A/N: don't know if there is a team 9.. if so plz tell me) under Maito Gai consisted of Hyuuga Neji(genin), Rock Lee(genin), Tenten(genin). Team 7 under Hatake Kakashi(jounin) consisted on Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura(much to her delight and Ino's anger). Considering the fact that Team 7 was one member short the Sandaime assigned a second jounin to the team. Kayou Rin, medic-nin who was only bested by Tsunade the Legendary Slug Sannin, or so she thought, was put on the team to balance the team. Each jounin, seeing as they could, took one of the genin on the team to personally train. Kakashi took Sasuke because they both shared the sharingan, and because of his guilt over Obito. Rin took Sakura because of her near-perfect chakra control and her amazing ability to memorize things. For a year, teacher taught student and they trained together; all the while taking low level missions to get a steady income.

 

Team 7 was just returning from a C rank mission that they took and they had the gates of Konoha in view when Kakashi noticed that they were being followed. Subtly looking back over his shoulder, he saw a black cloaked figure a good distance off trailing them. Not seeing a forehead protector of any sort, he signaled to his companions and both the genin took to the undergrowth. Making sure that both Sakura and Sasuke were well hidden, he twitched his head and both Rin and himself stopped and turned to face the newcomer. Watching it approach, Kakashi couldn't help but see the grace of the figure's movements. Taking that into account, he assumed the invader was a female. Rin, who was the loudest, called out the challenge. “Stop and identify yourself!” she shouted in a firm authoritative voice. They watched as the figure didn't even seem to pause as it continued its advance. Luckily for them, she (Kakashi still thinks it's a she) was coming down the center of the road and was making to move to deviate. Stepping apart, Rin and Kakashi set themselves for battle. As 'she' passed between the two shinobi, Kakashi grabbed its arm and attempted to send it flying into a tree. The only thing wrong with that plan was the fact that it was he who was flying into the tree. Scrambling back to his feet, he looked around for Rin and saw her crumpled on the ground in a heap. Rushing to her, he was relieved to see her getting up. Helping her up, he saw the cloaked stranger continuing on its way as if nothing had happened. Using sign language, he told Sasuke and Sakura to run to the gates and alert the ANBU there of what was heading their way. Looking at Rin, Kakashi nodded his head and together, they fell back into a rear guard position to make sure that the figure didn't go anywhere else.

 

As they neared the gates, both jounin sighed at the sight on a squad of ANBU waiting for them. Slowing down, they let the mysterious person proceed toward the gates. As soon as 'she' was close enough, the ANBU squad leader stepped forward and said in a clear voice: “Identify yourself. Comply and there will be no trouble. Do not comply, then we'll having nothing left to do but resort to force.” Halting in its stride, the figure reached up and grasped the side of its hood. Drawing it down lower, he brought his hands down and started forming hand seals. Jumping into action, the ANBU attempted to stop him but before they could do anything he had finished his seals and ended with the tiger seal. To the amazement of the ANBU and Team 7, a dark swirl of darkness seemed to pool around his feet. With the suddenness of a thunderclap, his body seemed to explode in darkness and he was gone. Thinking about what seals the figure did, he realized that the person had transported themselves somewhere and the only place he could think of was the Hokage's office. “He's after the Hokage. Go!” he shouted and with that the ANBU puffed out as they sped toward their leader's office. Looking back to his teammates, Kakashi nodded and they too ran toward the tower in hopes of seeing the unfolding events.

 

Reaching the tower, they saw ANBU buzzing around the tower like angry worker ants. Walking forward, he flashed his id and entered the tower. Heading up the stairs, he reached the Hokage's office and knocked. “Who's there?” was the reply. Raising his only visible eyebrow to his teammates he opened the door, and was almost turned into a pincushion by all the kunai that were suddenly air born in his direction. “HEY HEY HEY.... Calm down, jeez. It's Kakashi and team 7 reporting back to the Hokage.” he said projecting his voice past the now very shiny door. “Come in Kakashi.” came an older voice. Cautiously walking in, he tensed up ready to spring in any direction should more pointy objects find themselves on a collision course with his body. What he and his team saw in the room made their jaws visible drop, although for some it was restricted by the mask that they wore. The Sandaime Hokage was surrounded by no less then twenty ANBU armed to the teeth with weapons. Raising the same eyebrow that he had earlier, he approached the desk and bowed. “Mission complete. No injuries or odd happenings to report. Although on the way here, we brushed up against a stranger that wouldn't say who they were or what they wanted.” he said after straightening. Nodding his head, the Sandaime dismissed them with a wave of his hand. As a group, they returned to the ground floor and exited the building before parting ways, each to their own homes and beds. This ended the day of Team 7.

 

~Next Morning....

 

Sakura awoke to the usual day in Konoha. The bright sun shining through her window and a gentle breeze rippling the drapes. Smiling wistfully, she got up and made her bed before proceeding to do the daily hygiene routine. Walking downstairs, she heard and smelt the mouth-watering aroma of cooking bacon and eggs and hurried down the stairs two at a time. Bursting into the kitchen, she kissed her mother and father good morning and sat down to breakfast.

 

~Sasuke POV

 

Sasuke had been up for at least the last two hours. Unable to sleep, he had gone out and trained before taking a shower and eating a small breakfast. Finishing up and washing the dishes, he headed out to Team 7's meeting place.

 

~Sakura POV

 

Finishing her breakfast, she put her plate in the sink and gave her mom and dad a good bye hug before bolting out the door toward Team 7's meeting place.

 

~Normal POV

 

As both the genin reached the bridge, they are stunned to see Kakashi already there. 'WTH? ..... He's here... early?' Sasuke thought numbly. Both genin and the jounin turned to the sound of a heavy thud to their left. Rin had fainted from the surprise. Chuckling at his teammate's reactions, he stepped over to Rin and lightly slapped her to wake her up. Grabbing her hand, he helped her stand. Turning back to Sasuke and Sakura, he cleared his throat and said: “We have another mission today.” Both genin groaned at this. “It's a B rank, but it should be fairly easy.” Sasuke and Sakura looked up at this statement. “What do you mean easy...? It's a freaking B rank!” Sakura shouted, while 'inner Sakura' simply raised its fist with fire in its eyes. Sasuke just smirked at her and waited for their sensei to continue. “If you would have allowed me to finish... I was about to say that we are to escort someone from the gates to the Hokage's office.” he finished cheerily before taking out his book and leaning against a railing. Eye twitching, Rin turned to the genin and watched as they looked at each other bemusedly before turning to look at her. Shrugging her shoulders, she sat down and meditated. Sasuke followed her example and also began to meditate like Kakashi had taught him. Sakura, who was too busy trying to figure out who could warrant a B rank mission for such a short escort mission, leaned against the opposite railing from Kakashi and pondered this development. It was about one in the afternoon when Sakura realized that she didn't even know when they were supposed to meet the person. Looking toward Kakashi, she saw him stand up and put away his book before clapping his hands and startling the two people meditating out of their trance. Gesturing to his teammates, Kakashi began to walk toward the gates. Falling into formation, the other people on the team subconsciously began to look for threats. Reaching the gates without incident, they stopped and waited for the man they were to escort to arrive. After about ten minutes, the gates opened to admit the last person they thought they would ever see. The cloaked figure walked toward them before halting and bowing. Returning the bow, Kakashi mentally reviewed the scroll and asked: “Are you Kage?” Nodding its head the figure waited for them to move before falling into the center of their group. As they walked, the crowds parted seeing the ninja with someone in tow heading for the tower. Upon reaching the tower they let their charge enter first before going in after. Forming a line, they walked up the stairs and reached the Outer office of the Hokage's suite. Looking to the secretary, she nodded and they proceeded to the door which was opened by the two ANBU guards. Entering the office, they saw four ANBU stationed around the office with two more directly behind the Sandaime. Bowing to the Sandaime, the team parted to show their charge, who followed their example and bowed. Straightening up, the Hokage motion with his hand and Team 7 took that as permission to leave. Turning around they made for the door but were stopped by the Hokage's voice. “Don't leave yet... This concerns your team Kakashi, and as they are part of that team they should also be here.” he said in a sage-like voice. Turning back around, the whole team nodded and retreated so that they were behind the cloaked figure. The same thought was buzzing around each of their heads. 'What does this have to do with us', although the exception was Kakashi, who was thinking along the lines of: 'Man.... I wanted to read my Book.'

 

Sarutobi returned his gaze back to the newcomer and gave it a steady look. “You said that you wanted to become a Leaf shinobi, did you not?” he asked calmly. The figure nodded but otherwise remained still. “You do know that it is illegal to assault another leaf shinobi outside of training or an arena, do you not?” he quizzed and again a simple nod was the only answer. “For such actions as you have taken, are punishable by imprisonment. Although I may be convinced to be forgiving and allow this mistakes to slide if you reveal yourself and your true reason for being here.”, he said with an ever growing edge to his voice. The figure seemed to pause at this but it slowly reached up and unclasped the silver emblem that held the cloak closed. As momentum took the robe, if flashed open and revealed a blood red breastplate with buckles running its length (imagine Vincent from FF7's armor), the robe fell loosely closed again at that point. “You wish for me to identify myself, yet you already know me, or at least you did.” the figure replied in a deep voice that did not have any ill intent in it. Sarutobi was looking at the figure quizzically, but slowly, like the wearing down of a canyon by a river, realization dawn on his features. Jumping to his feet, he watched as the figure reached for the hood with both hands and began to lower it.

 

“I am Uzumaki Naruto, and I am here to become a shinobi of the Leaf.” he said in a clear voice and then let the hood fall open. The Sandaime and everyone else in the room, even the ANBU, gasped in surprise and shock at the young boy that stood before them. Naruto had changed in the four years of his disappearance. He had the same hair style and cut but his hair had red streaks through it and the tips seem to also be a light orange in color. His face had lost most of his baby fat, revealing a strong masculine face with a pair of deeply set blue eyes that seemed to chill you to the bone when you looked at them. None of them could see his body because of the cloak, but from the way he stood, the more experienced ninja could tell that he had under gone intense training. Rin and Kakashi were looking at each other with looks akin to sorrow and happiness. They were sad because they were unable to stop the bright cheery boy from losing his sense of joy and becoming what he was now: cold. But they were also happy that they just might have a chance to change him back, not to mention make it up to him for leaving him alone. Turning to the boy, they both gave small smiles as they looked him over. Sakura and Sasuke were both thinking the same exact thing: 'Wow... He's changed...' Sasuke couldn't help but feel weak when he looked at the young boy that had survived for four years outside, alone. Sakura, surprisingly... or not, was thinking along completely different lines. 'How could you come back here... especially after all that you have been through?' Sarutobi, who out of the whole group, was the most surprised could only think one thing: 'I'm glad your back.' Rearranging his robes, he sat back down and motioned for Naruto to sit but was declined with a twitch of his head. Shrugging his shoulders, he cleared his throat and said: “As I said earlier, you, Naruto, will be joining Kakashi's team.” he said as he motioned for them to step forward. “Tomorrow will be your first meeting with them, but for now we need to get you a place to live.”, he said as he started opening drawers and shuffling papers until he found a set of keys. “These keys are to your new home. No one is using it, nor will anyone else. I'll have an ANBU show it to you. If that is all then you are dismissed.” he finished fully expecting them to walk out. Team 7 did, but stopped when they saw that Naruto didn't even twitch. “What about my instatement?” he asked seriously. 'Oops... dammit. I forgot', the Hokage thought. Thinking fast he said: “Tomorrow Kakashi will test you. If you pass then you will be instated as a ninja of Konoha. Understand?” “Yes.” was the only reply from the already retreating blonde. Passing by team 7, he didn't even glance at them before he was ahead of them and going down the stairs drawing up his hood and refastening his cloak. Looking at each other, team 7 broke up and each went home to think over that day's events, and what would happen the next morning.

 

~Next Morning....

 

Team 7, including Kakashi, arrived at the training field to find Naruto already there. He stood in the middle of the clearing wearing the same outfit that he had the day before, although the hood was down. He watched as the rest of the team found trees to lean against as they watched the test. Kakashi, who took up a position opposite Naruto, bowed and took his looser stance. Naruto simply returned the bow and continued to wait. After about three minutes, Kakashi got impatient and rushed Naruto. Continuing to watch the onrushing jounin, Naruto just raised one hand and made it in a fist and before anyone knew what was happening, Kakashi was thrown into a tree by some exploding tags. Even after he lost sight of his opponent, Naruto never turned around to look for him; he just stood still and waited. Suddenly he bent forward and kicked straight back, and everyone was surprised to see Kakashi appear hunched over holding his stomach. Leaping backwards, Kakashi circled Naruto; he tried to analyze him but every move he made contradicted itself... The whole not moving, the then sudden attack; the other thing that he couldn't figure out was why Naruto hadn't used a single jutsu yet. That only made him extremely cautious. Still circling the statue that was Naruto, he suddenly flung a kunai at the blonde only to have it caught and sent right back. Smirking now, Kakashi suddenly disappeared and then reappeared right in front of Naruto. With a left jab, he punch Naruto right in the head only to have it flare out in a flash of fire... Whipping around, he saw the shuriken coming for him and he just took out a kunai to block it. Suddenly a voice called out: “Jouzan Shuriken (multiplication of shuriken)” and suddenly Kakashi was surrounded by shuriken. Pumping chakra into his legs he used it to jump up and over the oncoming projectiles. Reaching the mild safety of the forest, he thought about the situation: Naruto was obviously better then the average genin...that and he seemed to be thinking with a completely level head... something that Kakashi thought was nearly impossible for that boy. Seeing Naruto walk out into the clearing, he decided that it was his turn to play in the shadows....

 

Using the trees for transport, Kakashi made it behind the blonde and set his trap... “Did you really think you could beat me that easily?” he called out hoping to get a raise out of the team. He failed.... miserably. Naruto simply flung a kunai at the voice. That was exactly what Kakashi wanted. As the kunai passed, it cut a trip wire that sent a barrage of pointy objects speeding toward the blonde. Realizing his mistake, said blonde made some hand seals and the same swirl of darkness appeared under him and just like last time he exploded and completely vanished. Looking around, Kakashi heard a whisper behind and back-flipped over it. Landing he put a kunai up to it and said: “Its over I won.” “Don't be so sure Copy-nin.” came the reply. With that, the 'Naruto' that he had with the kunai simply slit its throat and puffed out. Dropping to the ground, he tried to locate the real Naruto. Looking up, he saw said blonde on a branch staring straight at him. “Now it's over Kakashi.” he said with a voice utterly devoid of emotion. Glancing down, he saw that he was about to break a wire if he moved even the slightest bit now... “What is this connected to?” he asked with a slight bit of worry in his voice. “It has ten exploding tags wired to it, and they are right below you.” Dropping down, Naruto moved over to the trapped sensei and pushed down on the cord. “Get up.”, he said in the same tone as last time. Getting up slowly, Kakashi backed away slowly. “Now How are you going to get out of that?” he asked curiously as he backed up into Rin and the others, for they had come over to see who had won. “Like this.” and with the same movement he got off the wire and the next moment was engulfed in a large explosion. Getting back to their feet, team 7 rushed over to the spot where they had last seen the blonde and started searching for him. “If you are looking for me... then I am right here.” came a voice from behind them. Yanking their bodies around, they saw Naruto perched on a log not to far away looking perfectly normal. “I believe that I won, Kakashi. Now please go and tell the Hokage, so that I may get my forehead protector.” he said before closing his eyes and falling into meditation. Glancing at the others, Kakashi sighed then puffed out to do as Naruto had asked. Looking at each other, the two girls decided to do as he did and they to soon fell into meditation. Sasuke, who was too busy thinking about the test to sit quietly, couldn't help but wonder how the dead-last and stupidest ninja at the academy, had gotten so strong. After a time, he decided to join the rest of them for lack of anything better to do.

 

About two hours later, Kakashi returned and saw the three of his team sitting around each other meditating and Naruto still in the tree. Looking around and not seeing anything of interest, he took out his book to read until they got out of the trance. An hour later, Sakura opened her eyes feeling refreshed and full of energy. Looking around she saw Rin, Sasuke, Naruto still meditating, so she got up and walked over to a tree to do some chakra and regular exercises. It was about thirty minutes later, that the rest of them got up. Putting his book away, he walked up to Naruto and handed him a black clothed Konoha forehead-protector. Looking at it, Naruto unclasped his cloak and flung the ends around his shoulders; fully revealing his armor. The red breastplate that they had seen yesterday was still there although now you could see it in its entirety. The plate was over a dark shirt and extended to cover his shoulders and arms, ending about elbow level and then a black bracer covered the rest of his arms. A black glove covered both of his hands. His Legs were covered in baggy black pants with red lines going down the seams. His feet were covered in boots that although seemed rather inflexible, could flex just like any sandal. On his right leg were his kunai holster and another pouch that they couldn't see any immediate use for and on his left were his shuriken holster and again another pouch. Finished tying the protector to his bicep, he redrew the cloak closed and shut off their view of his armor. Walking away, he paused and bowed toward the group before continuing on his way.

 

To say that Team 7 was amazed with their newest teammate would be a large understatement. They were openly awed. Naruto had bested Hatake Kakashi, The Copy-nin, son of the White Fang of Konoha. That in itself brought attention to him from the ninja community, much to his displeasure. Then there were the fangirls that seemed to be everywhere, they were outside his home, they were even outside where he ate. This went on for about a week before Naruto began to use the shadows to get around the town. This had two benefits: One was the fact that the fangirls couldn't see him, and two was that the villagers couldn't see him either. As this went on, people would catch glimpses of a shadow that had a red tint to it. As more people saw it, people began to call it the 'Red Shadow'. They had no idea that it was Naruto using a jutsu to sneak around. Nor did they realize that they just gave birth to a Legend...

 

~End Chapter~

TBC

 

A/N: Please Read and Review.... It gives me courage to go on..... THX

Dragon Noir: A review don't take more than a minute to send, think about it, a minute for you and a few hours for us, a good deal don't you think ? Some of you are probably confused with the jouzan shuriken technique Naruto used against Kakashi, no it is not the shuriken kage bunshin that we mistook; for those who have seen the anime, when the Sandaime use it to nail a certain wood box, the lone shuriken became a huge, and I mean huge, number, like 1 go to 100; this jutsu is a weaker version like 1 go to 20 if used with the same amount of chakra; Kakashi was surprised because he didn't know another jutsu could do this, and 20 shuriken puffing out in front of your face is a surprise in itself and let's not forget how much chakra Naruto naturally have, so with his training…(no I won't say more you'll have to wait eh eh)