Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Heaven & Earth: The Uzumaki Saga ❯ Chapter 5: Home, Where the heart aches ( Chapter 5 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

---
The bar called "Hot Legs", Tokyo, late night show. Priss & The Replicants started up a fast paced tune...

[(Did you know?) arashi no Highway !! I kept running...]
[(Did you dream?) hashiri-tsudzuketa !! ...down the stormy highway...]
[(Did you lie?) togireta yume no yukue sagashite !! ...searching for my interrupted dream...]

Meanwhile, somewhere out in a small town, on the outskirts of the Wind Country, a man and his daughter are surrounded by hundreds of shinobi. These shinobi wear the clothing of Akatsuki thugs. The man pushes his daughter to stand behind him and stay close, and then all of the shinobi began to circle the man and the girl, drawing forth all of their swords ready to kill.

[(Did you know?) nigai maboroshi !! ...letting all the bitter illusions...]
[(Did you dream?) subete no uso wo !! ...and lies...]
[(Did you lie?) senaka de hajiki-tobashite !! ...just blow off my back.]
[(No, no, no, my heart)]

At that moment all of the shinobi struck at once! One following the other, trying to take down the man in the drenched black overcoat/cloak! But each of them were being cut down like dogs, the man had a claw on his right hand striking down each and everyone that came close to him!

[Big City kodoku na Heart to Heart !! We're all just lonely hearts in the big city,]
[minna ai no mayoigo !! children lost in love.]
[Big City namida wa Day by Day !! Day by day in the big city,]
[nemuranai omoi wo yusaburu dake !! tears aggravate thoughts that just won't sleep.]
[(I want your love)]

[kon'ya wa Hurricane !! Tonight... Hurricane!]

The ground all around them was muddy, and soon bloody also. The man fought off at least five men per strike, and then he decided to take the fight to higher ground. He leaped up and landed on rooftop, thus the shinobi followed him, disregarding the girl. The girl simply stood there watching her father cut down all of the men like paper.

[anata ni Hurricane !! ...I want to... Hurricane!]
[tsutaetai no Loving You... (Loving You) !! ...tell you I love you... (Loving You)]
[kon'ya wa Hurricane !! Tonight... Hurricane!]
[kanjite Hurricane !! ...feel it... Hurricane!]
[sugao no mama Touch! !! ...like you mean it. Touch!]
[Give me touch!]

Bodies were falling down, blood pouring down into the ground, mixing with the rain and mud. Countless bodies just being shredded and slashed through. It was literally a one-man massacre, and the girl stood there just watching her father kill these men, the blood pouring around her feet. She simply stood in the rain, quietly, waiting for her father to finish his business. Just then one of the shinobi tried to take the girl hostage, but the man picked up one of the shinobi's katana and threw it right through his heart.

[(Did you know?) kotoba no DA-TSU !! Darting words...]
[(Did you dream?) nageau dake ja !! ...that merely placate...]
[(Did you lie?) mune no itami wa wakariaenai !! ...won't help me share the pain in your heart.]
[(Did you know?) oshiete hoshii !! I want you to tell me:]
[(Did you dream?) nani ga anata no !! what is it...]
[(Did you lie?) hitomi wo kumoraseru no ka !! ...that makes your eyes so gloomy?]
[(Sin~ Sin~ Singe your heart)]

[Big City chigireta Heart to Heart !! In the big city, our hearts are all torn,]
[yoru ni odori-tsukarete !! and we're tired of dancing around in the night]
[Big City utsuro na Day By Day !! Emptily, day by day in the big city,]
[sasayaka na nukumori machikogareta !! we long for even a little warmth.]
[(I want your love)]

[kon'ya wa Hurricane !! Tonight... Hurricane!]
[anata ni Hurricane !! ...I want to... Hurricane!]
[tsutaetai no Loving You... (Loving You) !! ...tell you I love you... (Loving You)]
[kon'ya wa Hurricane !! Tonight... Hurricane!]
[mou ichido Hurricane !! ...I want you to... Hurricane!]
[dakishimetai Touch! !! ...hold me once more. Touch!]

The man had just finish slaughtering maybe fifty-to-hundred shinobi, and was slightly exhausted. He came down from the rooftop, and went to his daughter, but his daughter saw something behind him. A rather large man with a demon mask made of metal. The man turned around to face this new enemy; he could see it's heavy breath through the mask. The mask was a face of a smiling demon with horns, like a devil. So he motioned to his daughter to move into a safe alleyway. The large man covered in the same black outfit that he was wearing, then took out a large scimitar sword, and a shield formed around his other hand. The other man covered in all the slaughtered shinobi blood, pulled forth his claw, and they began to fight! At first the claw could not penetrate the shield, and he had to block the sword with his claw a lot. This opponent was ready for him; he was strong as well as fast. Just then the man's eyes changed color, from red and blue to fully black with red centers. The black-eyed man jumped away, unable to beat this new monstrosity in front of him.

[Burning Touch!]

Suddenly the Muramasa strapped to his back unlocked, and he stood back up, face to face with the large man. He pulled forth the Muramasa, and the air around him began to seep red mist. Naruto held the Muramasa in front of his face with two hands, and the sword began to absorb all of the blood around him!

[Big City kodoku na Heart to Heart !! We're all just lonely hearts in the big city,]
[minna ai no mayoigo !! children lost in love.]

The Muramasa quickly rejuvenated and was fully charged for battle! The blood gem on the end of the handle glowing violently red, and the blade itself was no longer rusted, but looked to be in perfect condition! There was an aura of bloodlust and death around the blade, almost like it spoke "I thirst for more!"

[Big City namida wa Day by Day !! Day by day in the big city,]

The other man gripped his big scimitar and both men got into a battle stance.

[nemuranai omoi wo yusaburu dake !! tears aggravate thoughts that just won't sleep.]
[(I want your love)]

Suddenly they charged at each other with full speed!

[kon'ya wa Hurricane !! Tonight... Hurricane!]
[anata ni Hurricane !! ...I want to... Hurricane!]
[tsutaetai no Loving You... (Loving You) !! ...tell you I love you... (Loving You)]
[kon'ya wa Hurricane !! Tonight... Hurricane!]
[kanjite Hurricane !! ...feel it... Hurricane!]
[sugao no mama Touch! !! ...like you mean it. Touch!]
[(I want your love)]

Their blades hitting each other with ferocious speed, the clang and chime of each swing was like music! Naruto struck with Muramasa in one hand and bear claw in the other! As Naruto struck once more with the Muramasa, it shattered the Shield! Now it was down to just the big scimitar. The two inhuman men fighting with such bloodlust that the ground itself shook and lightning flashed! The very elements could feel the intensity of this fight. They fought all over the small town, from the ground up to the rooftops, and then even into the small open courtyard.

[kon'ya wa Hurricane (kon'ya wa Hurricane) !! Tonight... Hurricane! (Tonight... Hurricane!)]
[anata ni Hurricane (anata ni Hurricane) !! ...I want to... Hurricane! (...I want to... Hurricane!)]
[tsutaetai no Loving You... (Loving You) !! ...tell you I love you... (Loving You)]

The fight dragged on for a bit, but Naruto was winning the taller man began to back off a bit, both of their paces slowing down. The rain beating down onto their faces, and making there clothes heavy. Then they both struck at the same time, their weapons locked together creating sparks from the blades. In that deadlock, Naruto stared into the black eye holes of the mask, and the other man stared back.

[kon'ya wa Hurricane (kon'ya wa Hurricane) !! Tonight... Hurricane! (Tonight... Hurricane!)]
[mou ichido Hurricane (mou ichido Hurricane) !! ...I want you to... Hurricane! (...I want you to... Hurricane!)]
[dakishimetai Touch! !! ...hold me once more. Touch!]

The tall man pushed Naruto away, and he jumped onto a rooftop. He had lost this battle, but it wasn't over. He just stood there giving a good long stare at each other.

[Burning Touch!]

Naruto tried to go after him, but he disappeared from his spot and the fight was over. He put the Muramasa back into its sheath, and it locked itself again. The blood gem was no longer glowing anymore. He closed his eyes again to return back to normal. In his thoughts, he now knew that they were being hunted. They had best move quickly and try to stay out of open sight. This new enemy, he seemed familiar somehow. Strangely enough it had almost the same power as he did, if not for the Muramasa Naruto might have been dead. He opened his red and blue eyes, and looked to the gray sky. He walked back to Yoko, who was standing under a small roof. Naruto looked to his daughter, she simply walked out to him, took his hand, and they continued on their way through the rain, to the Valley Of the Wind.

[Give me touch!]
[Burning Touch!]

---

Heaven & Earth: The Uzumaki Saga

Chapter 5: Home, Where the heart aches

Part 1: Over the hills, and through the forest

Sakura and Kazuo had met with the woman known as Priss. They asked her question about the man and girl she had traveled with. Priss had told them everything she remembered; the moment she came to rescue her, traveling through Mt. Fuji and the Village of Spirits, and finally the last few moments the spent together here in Tokyo.

"Why are you so interested in these two? Are you bounty hunters!?" Priss asked curiously.

Sakura sighed and replied, "No, the girl is my daughter, and the man...is my deceased husband. He died over ten years ago..."

"It's not father!" Her son spoke angrily. "If it WAS him he would know the way home! Why is he traveling aimlessly!? It's like he's traveling further and further away! And did you forget that it was HE who kidnapped Yoko in the first place?"

"That's enough Kazuo! Father or not, that man still has our Yoko." Sakura tried to calm her son down, but he walked out of the bar very upset. "Please excuse him. He never got to know his father, and is still young."

"That's okay." Priss spoke kindly. "The last he thing he mentioned to me was that they were heading northeast, to the Country of Wind to seek answers. They had left over a few weeks ago."

"Thank you." Sakura bowed respectfully, and began to exit the bar.

"He's just lost." Priss yelled just before Sakura disappeared, but she was gone. "He's only trying to find his way home..."

---

Naruto and Yoko had been traveling for weeks now, and they came to a tavern in the middle of the road. They decided to go on in, and rest for a bit. Inside there weren't many people, only a few travelers and some shady people, but there was this trio of characters sitting in a booth. One looked to be a drunken man with fiery red hair; he had several bottles of sake all around him. While another man had his head down on the table; he looked to be sleeping, only his katana was holding him up from falling completely over. The third was a woman, she seemed very energetic and kept on sketching pictures on her scrolls. A very unlikely trio, but they looked as if they were traveling all together. Naruto and Yoko sat in the table just across from their booth.

"Hey Hey Cleffie-chan! Come see my art!" The woman eagerly waved her scrolls at the sleeping man.

The man simply ignored her, and tried to rest his eyes, all he could muster was, "Uhh...*mumble mumble*...Mmm."

"HEY! Wake up already you lazy bum!" The girl became mad, and started shaking the man angrily.

"Huh!? Wha!? Okay! Okay! I'll finish my book...ZZZzzzz." And the man was quickly back asleep like nothing had ever happened.

The girl was annoyed, and then moved onto her next companion, the drunkard. His head was just bobbing up and down, while his face was complete red, he could barely even see straight.

"Huuuuuuuuuuhh??? Whhaaaaaa??? SCH-AKE!!! HEY BARTENDER MORE SSSCCHHH-AKE!!! YEEEAAAAHH!!! WHOOOOOOO!!!" The man tried to speak but it was all slurry and loud.

The woman found it hopeless to even try to speak to him, thus she looked very sad. After that short scene, Yoko got up from her seat and moved over to the woman. She then looked up at the woman and smiled. The woman saw this little girl, not more than five years old, just got up to sit next to her because she was sad.

"You want to see my pictures?" The sad woman asked.

Yoko nodded her head, and opened her hands. The woman showed the little girl her scrolls, and the girl laughed and smiled happily. This cheered the woman up, and she began to smile also.

"You...You like my drawings?" The woman asked happily.

Yoko smiled and nodded her head. Now the woman was overjoyed, and began jumping around happily.

"Yay! I knew people would like my pictures! My names Hyuga Kin, after my half-sister." Hyuga spoke happily.

"Yoko." Yoko spoke softly.

"That's a very pretty name." Hyuga smiled, and took the girl back to her father who was sitting there very sternly and quiet. "Is this your girl?"

Naruto nodded his head. Hyuga put the girl down and sat down with Yoko and Naruto.

"She's very pretty, and very nice. She must take after her mother-" Hyuga paused for a moment, unsure if that was the right thing to say, and quickly changed the subject. "Um, so where are you two headed?"

Naruto pulled out his map, and pointed out their path. He pointed out that they were heading to the Valley of the Wind. Hyuga then had a great smile on her face.

"That's where we're going too! Come meet my companions!" She happily jumped up and the three of them moved over to their booth. She tried to get her partners to wake up, but they were already passed out. "Hey! Blayze! Bass! These two are heading the same way as us! HEY!"

Blayze the drunkard popped his head up from his bottle of sake. "HUUUUHHH? What about heads of hay?" Then he went back to drinking straight from the bottle.

While the other man, who was sleeping, just ignored her and mumbled off some words. "Zzzz...yeah...zzZZ...pizza...*grumble grumble*"

Well they weren't very active, as they seemed to be before. Their group consisted of a red head drunkard, a lazy and very exhausted swordsman, and one energetic shinobi out of the three. Naruto thought, perhaps it would be safe cover to travel with them, and it would be good company for Yoko, besides the drunk, but who knows. They all sat down together, and got acquainted. It just so happens that all three of them were friends and lost souls searching for a place to call their own also. It seemed only Hyuga was the only talkative one.

"So why are you going to the Valley?" She asked curiously.

Naruto simply pulled out the leaf headband and showed it to them. All three of them looked at it, and none of them recognized it. Although, Hyuga's face expression did change from happy to a slight frown.

"My sister died in a fight against a village with that similar marking, but I know nothing of it. So perhaps you seek answers when we reach the Valley, yes?" She spoke emphatically.

Naruto nodded his head, and sat quietly with Yoko, as they just listened to the trio’s tales of traveling. They too had stopped in Tokyo, but ran up a very bad gambling debt, they did pass through Mt. Fuji and Bass almost froze to death, by stopping to take a nap. Blayze once owed a tavern a very large booze tab, and they ran away from that bar also. Naruto offered to pay for their bill this time, so that there would be no trouble. And the group of five began their journey to the Valley of the Wind. They would travel over hills and plains of grass for about five days, until they reached the edge of a dark, black forest.

---

"It's a long way to go, honey."

"I know, but I'm afraid. Where are we going?"

"Into the dark, black forest."

The forest stood high over their heads, the foliage of the trees and braches made the surrounding area dark like night. So they could not tell whether it was day, night, or midday, it was all the same. For three days they followed a small path through the forest, when suddenly the came upon a small lake in the middle of the forest. It stretched as far as the eye could see. It went in all directions, and showed no signs of life coming from it. Something about the water had a certain "glow" about it. Unsure whether it was safe to drink or not, no one touched it. They decided to camp near the water that night, or was it day? Who knew?

"So how old are you Yoko?" Hyuga broke the silence of the forest.

Yoko held up her hand and showed five fingers, indicating she was five years of age. All three of them smiled, and sat around a stone pile where the fire should be.

"Blayze, its your turn." Hyuga said.

"Yeah, yeah. *hic*" And the man stood just over the stone circle, and began to concentrate. He made some hand symbols and attempted to create a jutsu. "Katon Renkudan!" (Fire breath/fireball) But all that came out was, "BLUUUUURRRRRPPPPPP!" He gave out a big burp, and no flames came out. He had a big embarrassed smile on his face.

Bass slightly awake, laughed at Blayze who was trying to recover from his embarrassment. "Hah, you've been drinking too much lately. You need to cut back!"

"Oh?! And you need to get off your lazy butt! Mind your own business!" Blayze began searching around his pockets and found his lighter. Luckily it was full of fuel, and he started the fire. "Hah! At least I'm well prepared!"

During this little scene, Yoko and Hyuga were laughing at the two. Naruto was sitting off by himself, just staring into the darkness, thinking about where he had seen that monster of a man they encountered a while back. His power, speed, agility, and fighting style was almost similar that of Naruto's own. He knew that Yoko would not be safe so long as she was with him for the time being. He might have to abandon her at some point until he could deal with the new enemy. Suddenly something caught Naruto's eye, something glittered in the darkness, but it was gone in that instant. They were being followed, but not by the new enemy, this was different. Just then Hyuga decided to pull out her flute, and begin playing a tune from her hometown of Sound. The melody was soft and had a sad tone to it, like it was a mourning song for her lost sister. Bass sat promptly with his sword holding him upright, and fell asleep soundly. Blayze took a sip from his bottle of sake, and fell asleep also. Hyuga simply played her tune a little longer, and Yoko fell asleep in her lap. Naruto listened to the tune; it's melody seeping into his head, just soothing his thoughts, and they all rested for the first time. In the middle of the night, the lake began to bubble slightly...

The next morning, they could not believe what they had seen before their eyes. There was a great stone temple before their eyes! There was a path that leads to an opening and down into the middle of the lake. It was like it came during the night when Hyuga played her tune. Then they all began to discuss whether to explore the ancient temple or move on.

"Should we explore the ruins?" Asked Blayze eagerly.

Bass scoffed, and looked at the temple. "Tch, it could be dangerous, and we don't know where it came from!"

"But think of the treasures!" Hyuga jumped up and down.

"I don't know... And besides we can't ask our other companions to go with us?" Bass spoke worriedly, and then motioned at Naruto and Yoko.

"How about if I stay with the girl, and you three explore it? Is that okay?" Hyuga asked.

Blayze nodded is head in agreement and encouraged it. "That's a good idea! How about it Bass? We could use the money if any!"

"Hmm..." Bass scratched his chin indecisively.

"Come on! Please Cleffie-chan?" Hyuga egged Bass.

"Fine. But you can't call me that anymore! No more pet names, okay?" Bass was a little annoyed, but made a deal with Hyuga. She agreed, but seemed sad that now she couldn't call her friend -chan anymore.

So Naruto, Blayze and Bass went down into the Water temple. It was dark at first, but Blayze picked up a torch he had found on the ground, and lit it up.

"Katon Renkudan!"

He lit up the torch in hand, and now they could see the area that the fire lit up. It was astonishing, ancient markings all over the walls. Almost like hieroglyphs, pictures that showed the story of the temple's origin. Blayze began to read the hieroglyphs and ancient markings.

[All who enter here, now enter the Temple Of Kuma the great *%^$!? #*@!.]

"I can't read that one line, it's badly marked. But I'll try to continue."

[The great forest spirit who protects those with pure heart and lost soul. Know this that he too was once a lost #&!@, and had died trying to find his way out. Now he roams these lands, only to explore it, and guide those who have lost their way.]

"Interesting. I've heard of a similar legend, where gypsy caravans would travel together and nature's spirits would guide and protect them on their travels through heavily forested areas from bandits and thieves."

Bass curious as to why this temple is here. "But why is this temple here? In the middle of a lake? And what is it that's being kept down here?"

As they kept moving downward into the depths of the water temple, it became more damp, and musty. There were more writings on the walls.

[He guides those to the exits of his forest, but can never leave. For it is the !#@$'s curse, but also it is his home.]

"How sad. Whatever is in this forest is also cursed to stay here forever."

[Beyond these steps are all of the empty foes and evil mortals who would dare to hunt his kind, or seek to hurt innocent bystanders. But with the evil are it's spoils.]

"The hell is that supposed to mean? Is there some kind of treasure down here?"

[Beyond the spoils of evil, is the true treasure. Pure and clean.]

"Hah! I knew there was treasure down here!" Blayze jumped up excitedly. Let's go!"

They had been moving through the empty, dark, and damp temple for some time. Stepping past old stone stairs, and moss covered walls. When finally they had reached the bottom, the floor was still wet and the water just came up to their ankles. There was a stonewall that looked like a big doorway. All that was on the wall was a small fist shape hole, with four smaller holes just above where the knuckles would be.

"What kind of trap is this?" Bass examined the door.

Blayze looked around for any more clues. "Here! It says..."

[The key to treasure is always just a claw away.]

"What the hell. A claw away? This is bullshit. I don't have my lock pick with me, and Hyuga has her needles, but she's topside. And what the fuck is this claw thingy?" Blayze got very irritated at their situation.

Just then Naruto reached back and pulled forth, his bear claw. Bass and Blayze were surprised to see that he actually had one. Naruto looked at the "keyhole" and figured he had to put the claw in with his fist. So he did so, and it fit in perfectly, suddenly the door began to rumble, and move off to the side. Naruto withdrew his claw, and the door opened. Inside it was gleaming with gold, and all sorts of jewels!

"Haha! I knew it! Look at all this treasure! We're rich all of us!" Blayze immediately ran into the chamber and looked at all of the spoils.

Bass didn't have a good feeling about this. "Blayze wait, something isn't right-"

Just as Bass took a step forward, he accidentally tripped on something and fell into the piles of gold and gems! Suddenly skeletons and bones fell over onto him, and Bass was shaken up pretty bad. Naruto helped him up and brushed off the musty old bones.

"So these are the evil foes, and hunters. All dead, dragged back here, along with their riches and spoils. Come on, let’s keep going." Bass ordered Blayze to stop swimming around in the gold.

The trio moved into another chamber, it wasn't a very big room, way smaller than the last. It was like the size of a small room, or a hut, and in the center of the room was a small pool of liquid. The liquid glowed a very light blue, it seemed like it had a mystical aura about it. Naruto moved closer to the pool, while Bass and Blayze followed just behind him. There was a small pedestal with a real bear's claw on it. The claw was made out of bone, and was in the shape of a cup. Naruto carefully picked put the bone claw, and dipped it into the pool. He then looked to the other two, who were afraid to drink from it. So Naruto closed his eyes, and took the first sip. It was refreshing, almost like an energy surging through him! It was like a rush he had never experienced before! It have him energy, almost like he was born again with new power! Naruto then opened his eyes after those few moments, and carefully handed the bone claw to Bass. Bass dipped it in the water, and looked at Naruto, who nodded at Bass signaling that it wa okay. So after a few moments, Bass took a sip from the claw, his body felt fully revitalized! He's drowsiness and weary mind was gone! He could think clearly again, and feel he strength coming back to him instantly! Finally it was Blayze's turn to drink, he hesitated at first, but saw the reaction to the other two, and carefully drank from it also. Blayze's body felt healed, his bad liver began to revitalize, and his taste for liquor was gone! It was like they were all given new life! So Bass carefully gathered some water into a small bamboo shoot, to bring back for Hyuga, and Naruto carefully put the bone claw back onto the pedestal, but suddenly it was taken from him!

"AHAHAHA!!!" Spoke a new intruder.

All three men were on guard to see a man in shadowy clothing, standing at the exit with the bone claw in hand! They tried to rush him, but suddenly the door to the exit began to close! on the other side of the wall, they could hear the man shouting aloud.

"Finally! I've retrieved Kuma's Claw! I'm going to be rich beyond my wildest dreams! AHAHAHAHAH!!!"

The stone door completely shut on them, and the three men were trapped inside with the golden treasure. Just then the floor began to rumble and the water level began to rise slowly! The temple was beginning to sink back into the lake!

"Oh my God! We need to get out of here!" Blayze spoke in a panic.

The men began looking around for any possible exits, or any way to escape this soon to be watery tomb. But they could not find anything. Bass then called for them to return to the small chamber with the mystical water.

"This well, I think I we can swim though it!" Bass spoke urgently, as the water was know up to their knees.

"And we drown to our deaths!?" Blayze spoke wildly, but his face changed to a wide grin. "Do we chance it?"

"Better than dying in this tomb!" Bass nodded his head, and was the first do dive under.

"Good luck to you. See you on topside!" And Blayze dove under the water and into the well.

Naruto looked around, and all he could think of was Yoko. He will return to her alive and they will reach the Valley of the Wind. He quickly dove under water and into the well. They followed the supposed light that was making the water glow. Bass was in front, while Blayze followed him in middle, and Naruto was just behind them both. They kept swimming towards a light in the distance. This well seemed to be an extension to some kind of source. The light got brighter, and soon they could see something shine above the water. It was the sun! They quickly swam up as fast as they could towards the light and the surface! Their breath couldn't hold out much longer! Finally they reached surface, all of them gasping for air! To their surprise the water was just the same water from the lake! Finally they understood the power of the water, it was all in their heads, and they had thought this water would grant them their true wishes so strongly that it was all in their minds. The power of suggestion is a strong factor indeed, but now they had another problem to face. On the land, that same man who ambushed them in the temple was holding Yoko and Hyuga hostage!

"Let us go! What did you do to my Cleffie-chan!" Hyuga spoke angrily.

"Hahahahaha!!! You fools, I've been trailing you ever since the tavern! I was coming here on my own, but I never expected you to play that flute of yours and the Temple Of Kuma would rise! And your friends did all the work for me! And now I have the Claw of Kuma!!! AHAHAHAHAA!!!!" The man bellowed.

"Who are you!?" Hyuga tried to wring herself free from the ropes that bound her and Yoko together.

"Me? I'm just a tomb raider. The name is Works, DeathWorks!" He spoke maliciously. "It's too bad, that I have to leave no witnesses. I'm just going to have to kill you and this little girl! HAHAHAHA!!"

And DeathWorks pulled one of his daggers out, and began walking towards Hyuga and Yoko. Suddenly the three men bum rushed out of the water as quickly as they could, surprising the Tomb Raider.

"Blayze! Cleffie-chan!!!" Hyuga was overjoyed to see her friends still alive.

Bass yelled out, "Don't call me that! And you, I should have known that you'd come lurking after us! You scavenger!"

"Well Bass it's been a long time huh?" DeathWorks taunted at Bass.

"Death, I should have killed you back at Mt. Fuji for trying to set that avalanche on us! I won't make that mistake here." Bass clearly spoke in a furious tone.

Blayze was also furious and spoke a loud. "And you! Trying to steal our riches! All of it sunken to the bottom of that lake! Now I'm really mad!"

"So what are you going to do about, huh? Drunk bastard!" DeathWorks was mocking both of them.

Blayze slowly pulled out his lighter that was still dry enough to light, and took a deep breath, while Bass put a hand onto his katana. "This."

And in an instant Blayze opened his mouth and threw the lighter in the direction of DeathWorks, suddenly there was a great flame upon DeathWorks, and Bass moved quickly to strike at him also! But they were no still match, tired from swimming. DeathWorks deflected the flame attack with his long katana, and blocked Bass' attack with his Wakazashi (short katana). Bass striking at rapid speed, but his wet clothes were still fairly heavy. Blayze who was shooting small breaths from his mouth was actually not using jutsus, but was spitting out all of the alcohol he had been drinking, and using it as his flamethrower.

"Hah! Still too slow!" DeathWorks mocked both of them.

Naruto saw this as it was not his affair, but should he be dragged in, he would take this "DeathWorks" in an instant. DeathWorks being attacked from both sides was being drawn back. He then picked up the little girl, and held his wakazashi at her throat. That was when Naruto struck at DeathWorks, simply pushing him back and catching Yoko midair. Naruto simply gave a look of [I don't think so], and DeathWorks picked up Hyuga instead. Bass and Blayze stopped their attack because now Hyuga was the hostage.

"Hah! Look at you two, still being the noble ones, defending the lady's honor! I pity you two for always giving up when she's in danger!" DeathWorks had an evil smile on his face.

Just then Hyuga had cut her binds without Death's knowing, and spoke softly with his wakazashi at her throat. "I pity you, for believing that I need their help." And with those words she had a few needle spikes in hand and stabbed him in the side!

DeathWorks now bloody, but still standing, backed off, and held up the Bear Claw as if to destroy it. The trio of friends stopped from striking him all at once. Again DeathWorks began to taunt them. "What now? I have the Claw of Kuma. If you come any closer, I'll destroy it, this priceless artifact!"

But it was not the fact that Death was going to destroy the artifact, it was something BEHIND HIM that made them stop in their tracks. Death still unaware of what was behind him took advantage of the situation and kept on mocking them. "What now?! Huh? Scared are we?! It's too bad, now I can kill you-*HURK*"

Before he could finish his sentence there was a large curved blade sticking through his midsection, A SCIMITAR!!! DeathWorks was confused and shocked at HIS situation, he looked down to see a rather LARGE blade sticking through him, blood seeping down his body, and now he was coughing up blood. "What-“ And before he could even start his question he was sliced in half! Now a NEW enemy was standing before them, it was HIM. The large inhuman man that Naruto had fought some time ago! HE had been trailing them ever since Tokyo, stalking them, waiting for the right time to strike, and now was as good as a time than any other. Suddenly the Muramasa on Naruto's back unlocked again, he withdrew the blade and absorbed the dead Tomb Raider's body, but it was not enough, it only rejuvenated a small section of the blade! The large man began to slowly walk towards them. Naruto stepped in front of everyone pushing them away, almost like shielding them from the monster. The man stood there before them, almost two heads taller than Naruto himself! Through the mask something began to drip from where the mouth hole was, like an acidic drool, they could hear the man's thirst for blood. And just as Naruto and the man were about to strike, another intruder came! A great giant bear even BIGGER than the monstrous man came in and fought him off! The bear came roaring in taking giant swipes at the man with the large scimitar! The large man then jumped away into the lake just standing on the water, as he could not fight off this great beast. They were lucky this time, saved by a bear. Naruto stared off at the man as he disappeared into the other dark side of the forest, and he sheathed the Muramasa once more, as it locked itself again. They all turned to see this giant bear about twice the size of a normal man, get down onto all fours and was now acting very peaceful.

At first, they were all afraid that it would eat them, but instead it picked up the bone claw, and put it back into the water as it floated away. Then it sat down looking at five strangers in it's forest, three men, a woman, and a little girl. They all stood there just staring at each other, unsure of what to do next. The little girl got up slowly and moved towards the bear, one of the men, possible her father, took old of her hand, but she looked at him, and he knew that she would be okay. The girl continued over to the bear, and the bear looked at her kindly. She put a hand up as if to pet him, and the bear moved towards her, to let her pet his head. She softly stroked the bears fur and that signaled that the animal was friendly. So they all got up and moved over to the bear to stroke it's fur and thank it for saving them from that monster of a man. As all of their nerves were calmed down, the bear then gave a small yelp and began to move off onto a pathway. They travelers seemed to understand, and followed the bear on this path it took. It was almost like this bear knew the way they were going, and was guiding them towards the exit. They stopped for one more resting period, and checked all of their gear. Bass and Blayze told Hyuga of their daring escape from the sinking temple, and of the water they found. Bass gave her the water to drink, but she smiled and said.

"I already have what I wanted. You two alive and well, and out of that depressing habit you both had!" She spoke with an overjoyed tone.

They all laughed together, and continued to enjoy their new found life. Meanwhile Naruto looked at Yoko, who was sleeping beside the bear, and began to think, what would have happened if the bear had not come. The Muramasa was not a full power that time, and they would have been dead. He began trying to think of a way to defeat this enemy that was hunting them.

The morning, they had finally reached the end of the dark black forest, and saw the beautiful open plain of the Valley of the Wind. As they each exited the forest, Yoko saw that the bear did not follow. She then turned around and ran back to it. The four adults looked back as they saw Yoko run back to the bear. Hyuga was beginning to wonder why the bear did not follow. Just then it had hit Blayze, and he remembered the inscriptions...

"Kuma...Bear. Kuma the Spirit Bear!" Blayze spoke out randomly, but then his face turned sad.

Bass was a little surprised, but he sort of knew on the inside. His face expression turned sad also. Only Hyuga did not understand why they had such sad expressions on their faces. "I don't understand. Why?"

"He can't leave the forest. He can never leave the forest. It is his home, his curse. But he helped us, we were pure of heart, and lost souls as he once was." Blayze explained to Hyuga.

This saddened little Yoko, but she understood that the bear could not go with them. She cried a little and the bear almost instinctively put an arm around her to say goodbye. Yoko ran back to her father, took his hand, and they both looked back to see the bear disappeared into the forest.

"Thank you Kuma. For everything." Bass spoke softly and they all continued on with their journey.

---

After another week or two of traveling across the vast valley of grassy plains and hills, they came to a fork in the road. There was as sign that pointed in two directions. One was towards a Village of Wind, while the other was pointed in the direction towards the Wave Country. This was where the two parties would separate.

"Goodbye Yoko. It was so nice to meet you. And you good sir." Hyuga hugged Yoko, and bowed to Naruto.

Blayze came up to them next and shook the Naruto's hand. "It was nice traveling with you sir. Good-bye little one, remember when you're older don't drink a lot! Only at parties!"

"Here. I want you to take this. It will remind you of our travels together." Bass gave Naruto the bamboo shoot with the water from Kuma's Temple. Then he bowed respectfully to him, and smiled to the girl. "It was an honor to travel with you, and you take care of your father okay?"

Naruto and Yoko bowed in return, and she was smiling waving bye to the three travelers who then walked into the distance. Naruto looked at his map and now they head east, to the Village of Wind.

---

Part 2: The White Deer Inn, Family Reunited under Chaos

The Village of Wind. It was a peaceful town, with large windmills for buildings and homes. The air was clean and fresh, the grass was green and the flowers were blooming, it was a beautiful day.

Alex and Hilda were managing their new home/Inn here in the Village of Wind. They would get many customers in all of the seasons, especially in the spring/summer, when all of the tourists come for the Cherry Blossom (Sakura) Festival. They had never forgotten about what had happened at Gjodai Temple and about Sakura and Kazuo's tale. In fact if not for them, they would have never recovered the golden Buddha statue that helped them on their way here. Life was prosperous for them, until one-day two weary travelers came in, a man dressed in black, and a small girl by his side. As soon as Alex and Hilda saw the girl, they immediately recognized her, it was Sakura's daughter. Hilda immediately grabbed the little girl and Alex put a katana to the man's face.

"You sir are not welcome here, get out NOW!" Alex's hand was steady, forcing the man to back out slowly. "I said GET OUT!"

The man simply looked to his daughter, she did not resist the woman holding her. The girl simply shook her head to call off her father. The man understood, left peacefully, and out of sight. Alex returned to his wife and this child.

"My god, so this is Yoko huh?" Alex relieved to have found Sakura's daughter.

Hilda looked at her and smiled, trying to coo her, but she was already calm. "It's okay little one, that man won't harm you anymore. You're safe with us now."

Yoko knew that she was safer with her father, but she did not want her father to harm these people. She understood that they might have been helping her mother and brother earlier. She remembered the man's face back at the chasm, when he was standing with her mother and brother almost over a year ago. So she decided to not cause any trouble for the time being.

---

Naruto, who had just lost his little girl, was unsure of whether his daughter would be safe or not. That monster is still out there; unsure of whether it was hunting him, or both of them. But it was probably for the best, she was at least in the comfort of a home for the time being. Now he had to gather information on the headband that he had been carrying. How does it link back to him? What does the leaf symbol mean? He went to serveral taverns looking for answers, but none had any for him. When finally he came to a really small bar, when he was show people if they know of this headband, one person did answer him! It was a young man; he looked fairly thin, and had glasses on.

"Oh! Are you from the Village of Konoha?" The man asked, and he took out something from his pocket. "I was wondering if you could deliver this letter for me!"

The letter was addressed to someone named Hinata, and it had the initials LHG, on it. Naruto now got a name of a village, Konoha. He was getting closer to the end of his journey. He would soon find out who he was, where he came from, maybe even regain his memories. Naruto tucked the letter into his jacket pocket and left the bar. The sun began to set, and the sky grew dark. He walked all over town looking for anther place to stay, but could not find one. The sky boomed, and it began to rain. Walking through the cold rain, Naruto ended up walking past the local monastery, and the kind monk took him out from the dark, cold rain.

"Come in. Please, before you get sick. All are welcome to this monastery, to shelter those in need." The monk explained, and took the dark man in. He helped dry him off, and bring him some hot food. "You know, I get all sorts of characters this time of year."

The monk passed Naruto a bowl of potato stew. Naruto humble accepted it, and ate slowly. He had not eaten anything since the Village of Spirits. But then again, he did not need to eat, he was neither hungry, nor starving. He knew no pain, nor suffering. He only knew the will to survive. The monk began to talk a little more for conversation.

"Just a short while ago, a ronin and his son came in here. What was really strange was that he wanted me to chant their Katras (Prayer for the dead/deceased). It was very odd; they even had their funeral clothing on! I did not ask why, I only performed that which was asked for."

Naruto thought about story the monk had told. He didn't find it strange at all. If a warrior is ready to die, he would be fully prepared to accept his death. Naruto finished his stew, and bowed to the monk respectively. The monk bowed his head back, and showed him a place to sleep, but instead Naruto went to the Buddha statue. The monk understood what he was going to do, so let him pray in peace. Naruto sat in front of the large Buddha statue and his lips began to move, but no words came. He spoke a silent prayer for the rest of the night.

---

Meanwhile, Yoko had missed her father, and was wondering if he had abandoned her for her own good, or for her own safety. Either way, she was very sad to be away from her family. The nice lady, named Hilda, came in and brought her some food. Yoko was sitting at the window looking out into the rain when she had come in. Hilda put the food on a table, and called her over. Yoko walked over to Hilda, and sat down at the table. She looked at Hilda with such a depressing face. Hilda felt sorry for the girl, she had not seen her mother, or brother for such a long time. For the time being, she would take care of this little girl with no family...

---

But little did they know that Sakura and Kazuo were already at the fork in the road. The rain was beating down onto their faces. They could not see the sign, but they took the left path to the Village of Wind. They were gaining on them. They were getting closer to Yoko, and Naruto.

"Okaasama. Will we find them this time?" Kazuo tried to shout through the rain.

Sakura looked back at her son, and tried to answer. "Something about this night doesn't seem right. I can almost feel Yoko, but something is wrong. I don't know what, but it can't be good."

"You don't think..." Kazuo shouted.

Sakura had an unsure look on her face and answered her son again. "It's not Yoko I'm worried about."

"No! I refuse to believe that man is father!" Kazuo yelled.

Sakura sighed, and they continued moving through the rain. "If it wasn't your father, Yoko would be dead. That woman in Tokyo, she said that he was just lost. Maybe... Maybe your father just has no memory."

"But-" Kazuo tried to argue.

"We have to try! Please Kazuo, we have to try."

---

The night became even more violent, something was making this storm become more and more violent. As if the elements themselves were at battle! The rain began to fall harder, and then lightning. Naruto was praying quietly in the temple, when suddenly THAT man's mask appeared in his mind. He opened his eyes and realized that HE was here. Naruto got up from his spot and moved towards the entrance of the monastery. The monk was already at the entrance and saw another figure out in the rain, so he tried to bring him in, but Naruto stopped him. The monk had a confused look on his face, and then Naruto threw the monk back into the monastery. The monk then understood that this was his fight.

It was HIM, the same large man who had been stalking him ever since Tokyo. Naruto stepped out into the rain, looking straight at this man, his enemy, his "nemesis". He could see the breath of the man seeping through the mouth hold of the mask. Both men standing in the fierce rain, neither of them moving, nor making any sudden movements, just staring each other down. This was it, here it ends tonight. Who was this man? Why was he pursuing them? Why does he wish to kill them? It will all be answered in this final battle. After a full five minutes of pure dead lock exchange of looks, the man lifted his hand and snapped his fingers. In an instant hundreds of black shinobi appeared all around them! Naruto looked all around him, surveying all of these new foes he would kill, one by one. What this some kind of test? Or was it just so they would wear him down? It didn't matter; all Naruto knew was that it was going to me along and bloody night.

---

Yoko then just received a feeling of dread, like something was happening with her father at his very moment. She wanted to do something, but she couldn't just run away out into the rain. At the moment she was helpless to go see her father, or even know what was going on.

---

Sakura and Kazuo had just arrived on the outside of the Village of Wind. The rain was pouring even harder, almost to the point of not being able to see in front of you.

"Kazuo, wasn't there some family that said they would have an Inn around here?" Sakura tried to yell to her son.

Kazuo just barely hearing his mother through the storm, answered back. "The White Deer Inn. We're looking for the White Deer Inn!"

Sakura just hearing her son's answer began trying to look for any signs or buildings that looked like an Inn or tavern.

---

Naruto must have fought off at least fifty black shinobi by now; he was soaked with rain and blood. It was almost hard for him to see through the rain, but he managed some how. Between the small flashes of lightning, he saw shadowy figures come at him. Naruto simply trusted his instincts to cut down each and every one of them. They took the fight from the monastery out all over town. The shinobi were following him everywhere from streets to alleyways to rooftops. Meanwhile the large man simply followed the path of blood and bodies, just waiting for his target to become tired.

---

As Yoko was about to fall asleep, lightning flashed by her window and she saw something outside. Shadowy figures fighting from rooftop to rooftop! Then Yoko saw a familiar figure she recognized, it was her father! She jumped out of bed to look again. It was her father, and he was fighting off those same black shinobi from before! She got out of bed, and quickly changed into warmer clothes to go outside. She quietly snuck downstairs, and past the two kind people who tended to her. She then opened the door as quietly as she could, but it flung wide open! She walked out against the strong wind, and tried to close the door, but it was no use the wind was too strong, so she ran out into the storm, after her father. Alex and Hilda heard the door open, and saw that Yoko had run away into the storm. They tried to after her, but it was too late and she disappeared.

---

Just as Sakura had saw a sign that read "White Deer Inn", the door to the Inn flung open and a little girl ran out! At first Sakura could not see her through the rain, so he walked closer to the Inn, fighting against the wind, then as she wiped the rain from her face, she saw who the little girl was.

"YOKO!" Sakura tried to call out to her little girl, but it was no use. She couldn't hear her. "YOKO! It's mama!"

Still Yoko couldn't hear her mother's voice through the storm. And just as Sakura found the will to fight against the storm, Yoko disappeared into the alleyway. It looked as if she was trying to follow someone. So Sakura called to Kazuo and they tried to chase after her.

---

Yoko tried to find her way to her father through the storm, the rain was hitting against her face. But she kept moving, her will and determination to find her father was strong. At first she was trying to follow the trail of blood, but the rain was washing it away into the ground, but then she followed the bodies! The body count began to increase as she followed the trail, but suddenly she ran into something hard, like a brick wall. Only it wasn't something, it was someone that she ran into. It was the masked man that had been following her and her father, the man she knew as her father's nemesis! The man looked down to see what had bumped into him; it was the demon's spawn. He took at liberty to pick her up and hold her onto her. Yoko tried to fight against him, but it was useless. He was just too overwhelming. She gave out a growl and kept trying with all her might to break free of this man, but it was just not enough. She was now his captive.

---

There was no end to them; it was like they kept coming at him with infinite strength. Naruto began to grow tired of fighting off the countless shinobi. When finally he reached an open plain, with only a few trees around. There the sky began to lighten up a bit, but it was still raining. Now that he was out of the town, and in the open grass, he was free to move and kill them, kill them all. That was what he did; with inhuman speed and in the flash of a lightning bolt and they were all dead. There were bodies all around him, blood pooling around his feet and all over his clothes. Naruto stood there breathing hard, trying to catch his breath. Just then his nemesis walked out into the open field, but he wasn't alone. He was holding Yoko by the neck! Naruto moved forward, but stopped. The man held Yoko up, and motioned with his finger [No, No, No]. Naruto gritted his teeth, and backed away slightly. Behind the mask the man was smiling, and then he threw Yoko aside! She fell hard to the ground, but she was okay, only got the wind knocked out of her. Just then Naruto rushed at the man, while the man with open arms taunted at Naruto as if to say [Oh, yeah. Come on!].

Naruto struck at him dead center with his bear claw at a ferocious speed! But then something happened, something that has never happened! His bear claw shattered as it hit the man's chest! Naruto was in shock and in that split second; it was the man's turn to strike! He gave a bone cracking punch right into Naruto's mid-section, sending him flying a few feet back in the air! Naruto landed on his back hard, and was clutching his stomach. He was trying to get up, but then the man was already walking over to him, and picked him up with ease. The man picked him up by the back and lifted him to face level. He cocked his head to the side, as if to mock him and then gave another fearsome punch to the gut. This time Naruto was sent flying back a few more feet into the air, coughing up blood, HIS OWN BLOOD. This enemy's punches were different, almost like solid rock slamming right into his stomach. It was like this enemy had the SAME strength as he did. Naruto tried to will himself back up, but the man was upon him once again! This time he simply stood there looking down at his target, taunting him to get up. Naruto felt already tired and weak from fighting off all of those black shinobi. Was this how it was to end? Was it his time already?

Suddenly out of nowhere a soft voice tried to cry out. "Pa-papa..."

It was Yoko; she was still alive! With those words Naruto found new strength to get up! He instantly got up and made a desperate attack at the man, knocking him back only a few steps. Naruto had struck the face that was looking down at him. The man took a few steps backward and was holding his mask with two hands! Naruto got up slowly to face him now. As Naruto looked at him face to face, he had a look on his face as if he had seen a ghost! Half of the devil mask was broken, and the other half revealed a face he had thought he had killed, long ago at Gjodai Temple. It was the face of Mugetsu, or someone that looked like Mugetsu, his previous master. The man was angered that his face was revealed, but instead he began to laugh.

"Hahahahahaha.... AHAHAHAHAHHAHAAA!!!"

His laugh was almost sickening, very maniacal and mad. The large man removed the other half of the broken mask and revealed his full face. It looked like a younger Mugetsu only he was different. On his forehead was tattooed a symbol. A symbol that read "Shinyu", his name, he must have been Mugetsu's son, which he genetically altered! Another monster, like Naruto. Shinyu stood there with both halves of the broken mask, with his arms apart, and he just laughed manically into the storm.

"AHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Heeheeeheeheeheheheee!!!"

Truly it was madness, the pure thought of Mugetsu altering his-own flesh and blood was sickening. Just then Shinyu had a great evil smile on his face, his eyes completely wide open just staring at Naruto. Naruto only had a face expression of quiet anger. Both men staring each other down, exchanging glances of anger, suffering, and bloodlust. They both understood each other very well, both from the same master, both suffered under his control, but only one monster can survive this fight, only one will walk away from tonight. Shinyu still with his mad face on began nodding his head slowly at Naruto. Then both men began to take off their overcoats; this was it, the final battle. Shinyu took off his overcoat revealing only small bits of battle armor on him. His bare chest was pale as a corpse's with red veins glowing about him. While Naruto removed his overcoat, and took off his tight shirt underneath revealing his rock hard body, exposing his back to the rain, with the Muramasa still strapped to him. Shinyu began to breath in the cold air, almost like he was gathering energy from the chaotic elements themselves! While Naruto simple concentrated on his inner power, and trying to free the Kokuei Ryuujin. He closed his eyes to seek the power, he saw the dragon's own eyes, and opened his own to reveal black with red center. They both began to square off, and get into battle stances. Naruto was just standing there against the rain, while Shinyu had one foot in front of him and stood at a side stance. It was going to be a battle of bronze, which was the stronger monster! And as the lightning flashed once more they charged each other!

---

Sakura and Kazuo were drenched from traveling in the rain for so long. They stayed to the path that Yoko followed, but then the tracks stop at bigger ones. It was like a giant man had just stopped her and picked her up. They began to worry if something had really happened to Yoko, and followed the larger tracks out of town and out to an open field. There they saw something that no mortal could imagine. A field filled with dead shinobi, and in the center two men with demonic auras about them clashing against each other like fire and lightning! Both of them exchanging blows with great force, that even the elements of thunder and lightning roared above! Just then, Sakura saw a small girl lying on her side, slightly moving.

"YOKO!" Sakura and Kazuo exclaimed, and immediately rushed over to her. Sakura checked for any injuries, Yoko was overjoyed to see finally see her mother and brother for such a long time.

"Mama. Oniisan (brother)." Yoko spoke weakly.

"You said mama for me." Sakura was crying, overjoyed to see her daughter alive and not seriously hurt.

Kazuo was now focused on the fight that was going on between the man who was his father, and this other large man who looked to be almost like a corpse raised from the dead. He looked at his father, and though of how he looked almost exactly like him. "Otousama (father)."

Sakura saw the man that was her husband, but couldn't believe her eyes, she was happy, yet confused, and unsure of whether this was just a bad dream or a nightmare. It was clearly Naruto, but he wasn't the same. He still looked like the soldier he was, but his aura was fierce, almost terrifying. Somewhere inside that body was her long lost Naruto. Family reunited, but in that moment they could not interfere with his fight, for they might get seriously hurt in the way.

---

Naruto and Shinyu had been going at each other for a while now, both men bloody and bruised. If they knew pain they weren't showing it, if they knew blood, they didn't care that he was flowing out of them. All they knew was that one of them will die tonight, it did not matter whom, only one. Both men were striking at each other with great strength and speed, both blocking each other's moves and blows. But suddenly Naruto saw people with Yoko, people he had somewhere seen before, but could not quite remember. In that split-second he paused, it was his fatal mistake, and Shinyu began his assault! He was pummeling Naruto all around, and beating him to a bloody pulp. Finally he held him up by the neck, above him, and pulled his open hand back. As he closed his hand to make a full fist, all of his knuckles cracked, and he sent his fist flying into Naruto's face, making him fly far back, over several feet. Naruto came slamming hard into the wet bloody ground, his back flat on the ground. Shinyu simply stood there and laughed manically again.

"hahahAhAHAHAHAH!!!! AHAHAHAHAAHAHAAA!!!!"

He could not move anymore. This was the end for him, he couldn't feel anything in his body anymore, and it grew cold. The rain was falling down onto his bare chest and face washing the blood away from him. He's mind grew blank, his vision slowly fading away. His mind was drowning out all sound, just then he could hear a voice in his head, a very familiar voice, singing a song.

[Hitotsume no kotoba wa yume !! The first word was "dream"]
[nemuri no naka kara !! From the middle of sleep]
[mune no oku no kurayami wo sotto !! Which secretly accompanies]
[tsuredasu no !! The darkness in my heart]

[futatsume no kotoba wa kaze !! The second word was "wind"]
[yukute wo oshiete !! Directing my journey]
[kamisama no ude no naka e !! From God's arms,]
[tsubasa wo aoru no !! Fanning wings]

[tokete itta kanashii koto wo !! As if counting]
[kazoeru you ni !! the melting sorrows,]
[kin'iro no ringo ga !! Yet another golden]
[mata hitotsu ochiru !! apple fell]

[mita koto mo nai fuukei !! Not even looking at the scenery,]
[soko ga kaeru basho !! There is the place you're going]
[tatta hitotsu no inochi ni !! With merely a single life,]
[tadoritsuku basho !! You struggle to reach that place]

His thoughts began to organize, he traced everything from the moment he met Yoko, and she helped free him of the mind control. Then he remembered all of their travels together, Priss, the Village of Spirits, Mt. Fuji, Tokyo, Hyuga, Blayze, Bass, the dark black forest and Kuma, and then he saw Yoko smiling. Just then he felt something warm surge through his body. It was like his power was coming back to him, the song was giving him life again. Just then he felt new power surging through is entire body. He opened his black and red eyes, and awoke to the rain and the sound of someone singing, a woman. He began to sit up and saw a woman with Yoko and another older boy by her side. She was singing him this song with her heart. Naruto could almost feel something coming back to him, but it was still not enough. Just then Shinyu stopped laughing and saw his foe getting back up again. He grew angry, and got really mad.

[furui mahou no hon !! An old magic book;]
[tsuki no shizuku yoru no tobari !! moon drops; the curtain of night--]
[itsuka aeru yokan dake !! Only a premonition of meeting someday]

[we can fly]
[we have wings]

Naruto stood up, and suddenly his back began to glow violently red! It was the Kokuei Ryuujin (Dark Dragon Seal)! It responded to this strange song and Naruto's emotions. A black aura surrounded Naruto, and began to empower him with something dark and powerful. He could almost feel the dragon's body entering his own, the tattoo on his back burning brightly, almost sizzling as the rain touched him. Just then the Muramasa unlocked once again.

[we can touch floating dreams]
[call me from so far]
[through the wind]
[in the light]

[mittsume no kotoba wa hum .. !! The third word was "hum"..]
[mimi wo sumashitara !! Caught by straining ears]
[anata no furueru ude wo !! As I softly release]
[sotto tokihanatsu !! Your trembling arms]

Naruto began to stand straight up, all of his wounds healing instantly, and his full power returning to him. He slowly drew forth the Muramasa and held it once more in front of him with two hands, and it absorbed all of the blood in the atmosphere, the red mist seeping into the cursed blade! The blood gem glowing violently red! The blade of the katana becoming renewed once again! The Muramasa was now fully charged, the black aura around Naruto was beating against the very ground he stood, when lightning struck him, it simply traveled around him in small currents and dispersed, almost like he was pure energy himself! Then he could almost hear another song being sung, it was another familiar voice. It was Priss, she was trying to reach out to him, and give him strength!

[dare ni mo tomerarenai no yo !! No one can stop]
[akuma to tenshi no KISU wa !! a devil and angel's kiss.]
[yozora wo hikisaku inazuma !! Lightning that splits the night sky]
[daichi ga yureugoku !! The earth trembles]

[moshi kimi mo nanika kanjitara !! If you feel something too,]
[mado wo akete me wo tojite !! open the windows and close your eyes.]

Shinyu was strangely overjoyed at this, now they would fight to the death. Naruto kept walking forward slowly, his black eyes fixed on his target, with Muramasa in hand.

["LOVE" kokoro de sakebe !! Shout "Love!" with all your heart,]
[hikari mieru made !! until you can see light.]
["PEACE" kokoro ni chikae !! Swear "peace" in your heart,]
[negai wo kome !! with hope.]

Naruto stopped just a few feet in front of Shinyu. Shinyu then held out a hand and a massive blade appeared in his hand! Now they squared off to fight round two!

[jidai wa doko e yuku no darou !! Where is the world headed]
[akuma to tenshi no KISU de? !! with a devil kissing an angel?]
[HEART wo hikisaku kuchidzuke !! A kiss that rips open the heart]
[yasashisa wo ayatsuru !! manipulates kindness.]

They attacked each other once again! Their blades striking against each other causing the very elements to quiver at their demonic strength again! Facing each other in multiple deadlocks! Sparks flying everywhere, it seems this time they were now on equal ground. Naruto tried to push forwards against Shinyu, and he started to move back! But then Shinyu actually pushed forward quickly and took a large sideswipe with his large sword, but Naruto dodged it quickly and tried to strike from above! But his attack was blocked also! Suddenly Shinyu switched from large sword to two smaller but still large blades that formed at his hands! Naruto tried to dodge all of his attacks but it seemed like his speed increased, and he was hit a couple of times. Just then the Muramasa was knocked away from Naruto, leaving him open for an attack again!

[demo kimi ga nanika tsukandara !! But if you grasp on to something,]
[sore de OK soto ni dete !! it's OK, go outside.]

Just then Kazuo couldn't take it anymore he rushed in with katana drawn and rushed to attack Shinyu's side, stabbing him! But this made Shinyu even more enraged; he knocked the boy away, and pulled the sword out. Just then Naruto seized this moment and tried to pummel Shinyu with all his attacks! Combinations of punches and kicks flying all over, beating the demon down! But it was still not enough! Shinyu got even more enraged and knocked Naruto away!

["LOVE" dareka ni sakebe !! Shout "Love!" to someone]
[kimi no yarikata de !! in your own way.]
["PEACE" dareka ni chikae !! Swear "peace" to someone.]
[sore ga yuuki sa !! That is bravery.]

Now it was Sakura's turn to attack! She charged with full Kyuubi power on! Nine red tails waving behind her wildly! She tried to constrict him and get the tails to hold him down, but then Shinyu simply absorbed the red chakra and knocked Sakura away!

["LOVE" kokoro de sakebe !! Shout "Love!" with all your heart,]
[hikari mieru made !! until you can see light.]
["PEACE" kokoro ni chikae !! Swear "peace" in your heart,]
[negai wo kome !! with hope.]

Just as Shinyu moved towards the knocked down Sakura and Kazuo, he was about to impale them for their annoyance and for interfering with their fight. As he began to strike down with the two blades that were his arms, Naruto suddenly appeared before them, stopping both blades in mid-stroke! He was holding onto the blades with is bare hands! Naruto was standing on pure will power! The shear rage that surged through him was pulsing, almost tearing the ground up below him! He forced the blades up, and then broke Shinyu's arms in half! Shinyu backing away in sheer pain, screaming madly into the air, but he was still laughing very madly!

"AHHHH!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!"

Naruto saw this as his final chance to strike; just then he held his right hand up and his left hand holding his wrist, as if he were gathering power to his open palm! Suddenly the air around him grew dark, and black energy was emanating from him, forming a black sphere of chakra! The sphere began to spin faster and faster, the energy becoming more concentrate until it became solid! It was the RASAEGAN! In an instant Naruto charged Shinyu and pushed the Dark Rasaegan into the heart of Shinyu! Shinyu fell to his knees, coughing up a lot of blood.

["LOVE" kokoro de sakebe !! Shout "Love!" with all your heart,]
[hikari mieru made !! until you can see light.]

The rain began to soften, and Shinyu knelt on both knees a bloody mess, almost dead. Naruto was still emitting a dark aura around him, the Kokuei Ryuujin still glowing on his back. He held out a hand to the side, and the Muramasa came flying to his hand, like it was summoned! He held it up with both hands the blade just above Shinyu's neck. And it was over in a flash of lightning. The Muramasa impaled his neck, and it began to absorb its body, its blood, and its soul. As the body turned to ash, the sword stopped glowing and he sheathed the Muramasa one last time, it did not lock itself this time, but stayed unlocked.

["PEACE" kokoro ni chikae !! Swear "peace" in your heart,]
[nanika ga kawaru! !! and something will change!]

As the rain began to stop, and the slowly came out, Naruto reverted back to normal slowly moving towards a tree out in the open. The Kokuei Ryuujin fading away again, and his body looked as if it was giving off steam, from an overheated battle. Naruto leaned against the tree and fell over. Sakura ran to his side, and caught him just before he hit the ground. Kazuo and Yoko walked over to him. Yoko was happy to see her him, took his hand and started speaking.

"Papa! Papa!"

Sakura was surprised that she kept saying "papa" at this Naruto. It was him, she had no doubt of it, even Kazuo began to tear, because it was finally over, but only to lose his father once again. Just then Naruto opened his eyes, they were back to normal, one red and one blue. He looked up and saw the tree suddenly blossom and the gentle wind picked up its petals. It was a Sakura (Cherry Blossom) tree; it was the Season of the Sakura. At that moment he finally spoke...

"Sa..Saku..ra..." And his eyes closed.

"No. Not again. NARUTO!!!" Sakura cried her heart out once again. Once again she had lost her husband, the only person who truly loved her. Kazuo went to his mother's side and tried to comfort her, but she brushed him away, holding Naruto's body tighter. Yoko saw her father's eyes close, and she partially understood what had happened. But then she remembered something, the bamboo shoot in her father's coat pocket! She quickly got up and ran to her father's overcoat, searching for the bamboo shoot, until she found it! She then ran back to her grieving mother and brother. Her mother not paying any attention to her, so Yoko tried to push her mother off of Naruto, and she tried to give the water to him. Sakura unsure of what Yoko was doing, tried to help her, and opened his mouth for her. Yoko then opened the bamboo shoot and a little water into his mouth to drink. At first nothing happened, and it looked as if all was lost, but then Naruto opened his eyes once again!

"Sa..Sakura?" He spoke weakly. He remembered! He could recall most of what had happened! Sakura crying her heart out now out of pure joy, embraced him even harder than before! "Ah, ow. Hey that hurts."

"You're alive! Thank the gods. You're alive!" Sakura was just completely overjoyed; she kept hugging him and kissing him.

"I-I remember you." As Naruto looked into Sakura's green eyes and smiled. Then he turned to face the young man, who was his son. "Ka-Kazuo? Hah, you got big."

Kazuo was amazed at this sight it was like a miracle. He finally got his father back, his real father. Kazuo too was completely speechless, but he had tears of joy also. "Dad..."

Only Yoko was the one who was jumping for joy and exclaiming out, "Papa! Papa! Papa! Papa!"

Naruto then tried to sit up and look at Yoko. Just then he recalled the entire journey he spent with her. "Yoko."

He spoke her name, and she went to hug him. Everyone group hugged each other, the long journey was finally over, and the family was finally reunited. Peace was restored to the Uzumaki Clan. The sun began to shine, and the clouds dispersed over the sky. Naruto got up, with the help of Sakura who was on his side. He gave a sigh of relief, and smiled.

"Let's go home."

The End.


Epilogue:

Naruto and Sakura live the rest of their natural lives (and remember demons live long), to see their children and children's children grow strong. The line of their blood will always live strong in Konoha. Every winter they would go to Mt. Fuji to spend time in the Village of Spirits. In the summer they would go to visit their old home in the Village Of Clouds. And in the spring they would travel to Tokyo and see it grow bigger every year, and visit Priss to see her shows. Kazuo became the first their to the Uzumaki line, and he married Chizu, one of Shikamaru and Ino's daughters. Yoko grew up to become the first full-blooded demon spawn, and lived a normal life. She often visits the Village of Spirits to seek training and guidance from Yanagi Baba and the Beast Gods.

The Uzumaki Clan returns to Konoha and begins their-own lineage. Not so much of an Advanced Bloodline, but perhaps a lineage of demon hood. With each generation the demon blood is passed on, from Uzumaki to Uzumaki, but they would never forget their Origins. And how it all started with one boy, and the Fox that lived inside of him...


Author's Note: Finally, the Saga has ended. Maybe it should have been longer, but I don't think I could keep on writing. I like to end things. Here are my final points and references:

-In this fic, I inserted some of my NaruSaku FC members! Shout outs to all my wonderful supoortive members: Mrs. Hyuga, Bassclef, Blayze, Kuma the mighty, Shinyu, DeathWorks, and Yoko. AND LoveHinaGuy (LHG) I even got you to appear as a cameo, so don't be telling me that I left you out, cuz I didn't!!!
-Big ups for all my favorite anime/manga(s) that help inspire most of the story material: Macross Plus, Lone Wolf and Cub, Bubblegum Crisis 2023/2040, a little bit of DBZ (yea yea), and of course Naruto!

So this ends my final chapter of Heaven & Earth: The Uzumaki Saga! Stay tuned for more...What?? There's more? But I just said this was the end!? Well I'm gonna make an appendix section, with all sorts of goodies! I'll update the Appendix section whenever I can. It will mostly contain sidestories, bloopers, original concepts/ideas, and ministories, maybe even cast member interviews! Well this is Hokuten/Masato bidding Adieu~! Sayonara~! Aloha~! Bon Quie~! And Good-day or night to all!