Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Decisions of Moon and Sky ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Title: Decisions of Moon and Sky
Author name: Caelestis
Author email:
Category: Naruto

Spoilers: The whole series
Rating: R
Summary: Naruto gets some help from the Kyubei to prove himself worthy of becoming Hokage. And maybe, find some love along the way.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, because if I did, I would be rich.

Naruto sat on the swing, alone in the shade of the great tree, swinging gently back and forth as he gazed forlornly at his old academy. The street between the building and him was empty save for a soft wind that kicked up dust from time to time. All the people that would have normally frequented the road had long since gone home, the dusky russet of the setting sun reflecting on the buildings. Shadows cast stark relief over everything, and on the blond boy's somber mood. No one was there to comfort him, to hug him, to tell him they loved him. No one had ever been there, for as long as he could remember.

Alone, as always.

When he and team seven had first gotten together, he had hoped beyond hope that he would finally have something to call his own, to care about and to care for. And hopefully have the same emotions returned. It had been five years since then, and he was once again alone. Sakura had always preferred Sasuke to himself, and when she had been offered the chance to attain the level of Jounin to become part of Sasuke's team, she had leapt at the chance, even if it meant leaving Naruto without his 'family'. The teams were only for the 'elite' after all - and how could a demon be an elite?

He had indeed gained the rank of Chunin, and only on his second try. But none of the villagers ever congratulated him, never held him higher in their regard than the others of his class, even though he repeatedly demonstrated his mettle. Not even worth the time of the daunted Huuga Neji, even though he won against him. They only regarded that as a fluke, something that could not be repeated... And they withheld his chance to become a Jounin. Like they had with the first Chunin exam. The only reason he had passed the second time was because they had not been able to find any reason to restrict him.

So here he was, alone. Hated. Reflecting on a past that could not be changed. The weight of his forehead protector drew his attention, and he reached a shaking hand up to tug it off. The leaf symbol shone at him from the metal that normally adorned his head. Konoha..... the village of the leaf. Leaf - a symbol of peace. What peace? His fist tightened around the cool metal, hating his fate. Why did it have to be him? Why couldn't he just be allowed to live a normal life, away from the hate, the humiliation, the hurt. So much hurt. And to be thrown away by the only two who he cared about, the only ones that he loved! That was like a kunai had pierced his heart.

The sand crunched under his feet as he stood up, his hand falling limply to his side. The leaf protector fell from his numb grasp to land in its own puff of dust. Should he care? Should he even live? He turned and began the slow process of going to his... home. His apartment, to be alone there. To always be alone.

All the streets were empty as he trudged through them, hands in his pockets. The sun was near the edge of the horizon, the near blackness of the sky becoming more apparent with each passing moment as he approached his dwelling. A small hop brought him to the windowsill and another to the floor or his apartment. The apartment itself was not messy as many thought - Naruto cherished everything that he had and he tried to preserve it as best he could. Some days, the apartment could seem to retain a disheveled state, but for the most part it was almost pristine. His bed was made, his dishes were clean, and his clothing folded. Not that he had much of it.

Why did he even bother to continue to live? Why should he? He sighed, the weight of his life pounding in his temples like an unrelenting migraine. His gaze traveled to the cabinets next to his refrigerator that he kept stocked with cup ramen. It was the only food that he could afford - and it helped that he liked it. But today the thought of eating almost defeated him, his stomach twisting itself into knots that were made worse by his depression. He didn't care. He needed to train.

The thought was a random fact that had dominated his life since he became a ninja. He must be better, he must become Hokage - only then would he be recognized for who he was; a man, just like everyone else. The growl that started low in his chest deepened as he thought of that smirking bastard Sasuke. He could hear him in his head, "You're worthless. Never could surpass me, and now I have Sakura as well. You'll never amount to anything." And strangely, this time, he almost believed him. Naruto shook his head to rid himself of the thought. He had to do something... before he went insane.

Taking a quick glance around the room to assure himself that everything was in its place, he went out the window he had just entered and jumped from roof to roof until he neared the edge of the village. The guards that were supposed to prevent his exit were unable to sense him, and he gained the freedom of the forest without further issue. Running through the leafy treetops with speeds that surpassed the everyday ninja he arrived at his destination in under a half hour, a small clearing where he had been practicing on a daily basis. It showed signs of use, such as broken trees, and occasional ditches where he had tried different techniques, but it was private.... it was his.

He fell into a graceful kata he had designed himself that allowed him a distraction from the emotional pain dominating his being. Punch and kick, sweep, leap, punch and twist... he performed delicate spins in mid-air, landing and then beginning again, each jump becoming more elaborate. He must become perfect, he must remove his flaws, he must become the Hokage... he must get his family back. How could they have left him? Hadn't they suffered enough together to bind them together? He would prove to them...

Again, another kata began, this one incorporating the Ragsenken in every move. Naruto was very far away in his own opinion to ever mastering the technique, because this technique forced the movements of chakra in different patterns as he moved in the deadly dance. The spinning chakra that he had once only been able to use with two hands, he now wielded with his whole body. Without thought, the energy swirled around him, propelling him into the air and keeping him afloat as he redirected the flow from foot, to hand to foot, and finally a fingertip. The real test of this was to control the chakra enough not to damage the surrounding area, but enough to affect the air around him. By the end of the second kata he was drenched with sweat, his training shirt as wet as if he had stepped into a pond of water. He landed softly on the green grass, panting with his exertion. It still wasn't enough... he had to gain more! He MUST succeed.... now.

He closed his eyes, trying to find the strength to continue, biting his lip to control the pain as he forced his rapidly tiring body to move once again. He reached up into the night sky, his chakra propelling him into the bleakness. The stars shone down upon him as he danced with the wind, embracing the darkness as he would a lover. He moved without fear, without pain as he gave himself to the dance, all ambitions stripped, ever to conflict with him as he fought to contain his own fear. What if he would remain this way forever... making friends only to have them betray him? Alone... He faltered, concentration waning. His eyes shot open as he felt his chakra stores hit zero. He fought for more, even as he failed. He had used too much chakra. Would he fail now? Would he die? As he plummeted to the ground he could only smile.

Perhaps. He couldn't bring himself to care.

X x X x X

Dripping. Wetness. He opened his eyes slowly, surveying his surroundings. Did he die? Where was he? He looked around the myriad of pipes and darkened doorways he realized that he was once again in the center of his being. A huffing sound was heard down one of the corridors, and Naruto belatedly followed it, sure that it would take him to the Kyubei. Maybe the fox would like to finish the job that it had started.

The golden cage doors never looked so good, as did the huge fix demon within them. The malevolent crimson eyes glared out at him from the cage as the being paced back and forth.

"Brat! What the HELL do you think you are DOING?" The Kyubei roared, causing Naruto to flinch slightly.

"What does it matter to you?" Naruto replied bitterly. "If I die, you'll be free."

"If you die, we BOTH will die! Idiot! Have you forgotten the very thing that you told me?" The Kyubei growled. "If you weren't so pathetic, I'd eat you myself!"

"Well, what's stopping you? Haven't I done enough? I've lived and I've fought, but what is there to fight for anymore? Love? HA! Tell me! What is it that I am living for?" Naruto screamed, tears beginning to form in his eyes. The Kyubei stopped pacing, the red eyes searing into Naruto's soul. "I don't care anymore."

Naruto slowly stepped towards the enormous gate, each of his steps deliberate and purposeful. Each step brought him closer to the giant bulk of the Kyubei. He reached out and laid his hand on the cool wetness of the cage bar, in easy reach of the Kyubei - for some reason the beast remained motionless.

"You wanted to be free. Here, have your freedom. I no longer care what you do." With a sharp wrench, Naruto threw open the gates, slamming them apart so hard that the walls on either side cracked with the door's impact. Now there was nothing separating the spirit of the fox and the boy any longer, the seal had been completely destroyed. The Kyubei started at Naruto in shock. This was his jailor? The one who had demanded of him what no one had dared to demand of him before, the one who had made him feel, was staring at him with an aura of depression surrounding him. And strangely... the Kyubei didn't want to harm this boy any further now that he had been given the chance. How unlike him.

One paw and then another delicately felt the ground outside of his prision of the past seventeen years, holding with it an awe that the creature had thought lost to it. Step by step the beast padded up to the striken boy, until he was so close to him his breath stirred his hair. A whuffle sounded as the fox took in the boy's scent, nudging his face and the side of his head. Naruto didn't move. He was both afraid of dying and welcoming the chance to be free of the chains that his existance had put upon him. But, no death came.

"Oh, kitling...." A soft gumble was heard from the fox as it curled up around him, and started licking the salty tears from his face with it's huge, cat-like tongue. Naruto started in surprise at the rough cleaning, more tears spilling as he realized that the fox was not going to kill him.

"Why? Why can't you just let me die in peace?" Naruto sobbed, burying his head in the soft fur before him, his hands clenching the the silky coat as well.

"Kitling, I've tried to hate you as I have all humans in the past, but you continue to amaze me. You persure in face of adversity, never give up when the odds are against you. And... I suppose that I want to continue to support you. So stop your sniveling! Stupid brat..."

"What do you mean?" Naruto looked up into the still slightly evil eyes of his curse, sniffing as he tried to curb his tears. "How can you say that, and.... you shouldn't, you hate humans..."

"Yes I do. But, you're not really like them. And... they hurt you as well, so why do you continue to go back? Why do you never take revenge? Why do you let them continue to hurt you? I do not understand, it's very different from a demon's perspective."

"It's wrong to hurt them, they will just hate me more. I'm not that special." Naruto clentched his eyes shut in shame. "I'm weak."

"You're strong. You have shown that time and time again, no matter the situation you always find a way to win. That's why I wish you take you as my own."

Naruto blinked.

"I would wish it that you become as I am. I have no heir - perhaps I should thank that yellow haired man for allowing me to see the potential in you. I want you for my heir. Let me train you."

"I......" Naruto's lower lip quivered with a mixture of emotions ranging from fear and anger to something not quite like love. A feeling that couldn't be described. He made his decision without further thought.

"I accept."

X x X x X

The ground was rushing up on him, wind whipping by his body bringing tears to his eyes and numbing his skin. Naruto fell, a confident smirk lifting the corner or his lip. What did he have to fear? The chakra of the Kyubei ran through his veins, merging with his own depleted stores, a red fire that threatened to consume him whole. The dark, verdant green of the forest canopy was upon him almost too soon, the ground rushing up at him with untold speeds. In an impossible move, at least for normal humans, he twisted cat-like in midair roughly fifteen feet above the forest's floor, changing direction enough to reduce his speed and he alighted softly in the boughs of an old oak tree.

He surveyed his territory. He could smell something different about it, something that hadn't been there when he had begun his katas. Something distinctly.... human. His eyes narrowed, moving rapidly as if he could almost see through the shadows. Where was this strange scent coming from? It was very familiar... there! A shadowed figure was skulking slowly through the shadows to Naruto's left, the distinct shape unclear. A soft growl rumbled low in the blonde's chest. His territory had been breached.

Running swiftly and quietly, he swooped down on his target before the other was even aware of his presence, falling behind him and holding a kunai to his neck.

"Move and you're dead." Naruto growled softly. The other stiffened his hands still in his pockets. Naruto sniffed against the strange person's neck, trying to identify him. His eyes widened in shock. "Sasuke."

"Dobe..." Sasuke's voice cut though the stillness of the night. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Well now, isn't this a pleasant surprise." The Kyubei remarked sarcastically.

'Shut up, stupid fox,' Naruto growled mentally.

"So it's back to stupid fox now, is it? You'd better show me some respect boy, if you want me to teach you anything." The Kyubei sneered.

"What do you think I'm doing, Sasuke-teme? This is my training place, not yours. Explain yourself! Why are you here?"

"It's a free country, Dobe. I'll walk where I want, and I want to walk here." Sasuke sneered. Naruto's eyes flashed with anger. How DARE he take that tone of voice with him! Did he actually think that he was better than him? Perhaps he needed to be taught a lesson. "After all, YOU are the only Chunin here, and are beneath me."

Naruto's growl was audible now, bringing with it such menace that Sasuke began to rethink his words. The presence behind him had once been calm, if slightly agitated. Now... the killing intent that was pouring off of Naruto was more than Sasuke had even felt even from Itachi. "Beneath... you..."

The words were so low Sasuke could barely hear them. "I'm so far beneath you, you didn't notice... that you didn't feel me sneak up on you... then. And you are so superior... so far ahead of me I have no hope to catch you. After all, you had your precious Kakashi to teach you, right?" The scathing words bit into Sasuke, for once making him feel the resentment that Naruto had felt from the very first day they had met. And Kakashi had chosen Sasuke over him. Sasuke with the Sharigan.

"Let's test that theory, shall we?" The dark tone was strangely light as Naruto spun Sasuke around, the kunai still pushed against his throat.

"A wager then? If I win, like we both know I will, you'll have to do anything I say for the next week." Sasuke smirked as he provoked Naruto. As if this dobe chunin could beat HIM, a jounin... the thought was ridiculous.

But he was answered by a smirk. "Very well. And if I win? What then?"

Sasuke blinked. What then? Naruto answered his own question.

"You... you will follow me around for one week, for three hours after training ends, without being noticed by anyone." Naruko spoke gravely. "You will see what it's like to live MY life. If fact... you will do better than simply follow me. You will transform yourself into me for one FULL day. I think that will be more than enough."

"As if I need to know what kind of a stupid life you lead, eating ramen all the time and acting like the dobe you are."

"Very well. Think what you will. Let us begin." Naruto disappeared, only to reappear in the middle of the clearing. A brief pause to crack his knuckles and he was ready. Sasuke crouched down and started stretching his hamstrings. He was ready a few minutes after Naruto. With mutual consent, the walked ten paces away from each other, the tension in the air almost palatable.

Sasuke jumped forward.

The kunai flashed from Sasuke's hands in a move invisible to the naked eye, moving towards Naruto's stomach. It was swiftly blocked by Naruto's kunai, and a retaliatory strike was executed with nearly the same speed. The following kicks and punches were a blur, all deflected from both sides. Naruto's expression had not changed from the onset of the fight, a slight smirk curling at his upper lip even as his eyes were devoid of any emotion. By a mutual consent, no special techniques had been used thus far, taijitsu the only thing allowed. Both parties moved far to swift to see, leaping into the surrounding foliage and bouncing from tree to tree, still exchanging blows. Neither had landed any blows, though on Naruto's part it was intentional. With a heated exchange of shuriken, Sasuke broke away from Naruto, beginning to breathe heavily. Naruto's own breath remained even, much to Sasuke's surprise and horror.

"Well, Sasuke. I guess you aren't that confident now." Naruto remarked idly, tossing a kunai into the air with his right hand. "Did you honestly think that it was skill that kept me away from the Jounin level?"

"What else could it have been? You're just bluffing!" Sasuke growled and leapt forward again, trying to take Naruto by surprise. Several shuriken preceded his physical attack, landing in Naruto's stomach with a satisfying 'thunk' as he rushed toward him. Naruto smirked before disappearing in a puff of smoke, a log remaining with the metal stars sticking out of it. Sasuke grimaced, eyes darting around for some sign of his opponent. He hadn't even seen Naruto use hand signs to activate the kawarimi. How the hell had the dobe managed to become so powerful?

Rustling in the bushes towards Sasuke's right had him on the offensive, attacking, before realizing that it had been a diverionary technique. He ducked as a kunai swiped near his throat, spinning around in a cresent kick in an effort to bring his opponent to his knees. The kick that was easily avoided because Naruto had not touched the ground. A fact Sasuke hadn't noticed. The rasengan currents were keeping Naruto in the air as he had practiced in his multiple katas. A slight change of air pressure flipped the floating boy over the Uchiha's unknowing head following with a strike that if it had connected would have won the fight right then. By some sixth sense, Sasuke spun around and met the strike with his own kunai.

"Want to up the ante?" Naruto grinned ferally. The grin was returned by the Uchiha boy, fingers already flying in familiar patterns.

"Katon: Dragon Fire!" Sasuke called his jitsu and let loose with a storm of fire. Right before the fire hit, Naruto's eyes narrowed and his figure blurred from sight. A huge patch of forest was decimated by the blast, licks of fire still playing at the trees as Sasuke looked for Naruto. Abruptly, Sasuke's eyes widened with horror as he felt the cold metal of Naruto's kunai pressed against his throat.

"I... You win." Sasuke breathed out softly. His face was a reflection of his shock. Naruto had not only defeated him, but he had not used any major jitsu to win either. How the hell was this possible? The dead last, more powerful than a jounin... Sasuke slumped to his knees. Naruto retracted his kunai in a semi-flashy move, holstering it in the same motion.

"I expect for you to be ready tomorrow morning to fulfill your end of the bargain." Naruto turned and left without another word.

"Brat... don't you think that was a bit much?" The Kyuubi growled softly in Naruto's mind.

"He needed to be taught a lesson," was Nartuo's only response. He made his way back over the ten miles he had come out, taking it at a leisurely pace, returning within a hour. By now it was around eleven o'clock, nearing midnight. The dark sky was scattered with soft pinpoints of light, the full moon rising above the trees to shine down on the Village of the Leaf. The peaceful setting belied the town's troubled state.

Naruto rolled into his bed to enjoy his first night of untroubled sleep in years.

To Be Continued…