Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Mended Hearts ❯ Genjutsu ( Chapter 18 )

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I wish I did, but I don't.

 

Original Summary: AU Naruto hides many secrets from Konohagakure no Sato. As time continues, Naruto's precious people learn the hard way that many secrets are best left untouched, and that Naruto is not at all what they believed.

 

New Summary: AU Beginning and ending with his name, Naruto's past is veiled in mystery. Even as Kakashi teaches him the meaning of affection and love, Naruto's secrets come into the open, and it falls to Naruto's precious people to protect and support him as his father's name and legacy threatens to crush him and destroy the Hidden Village of the Leaf.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Chapter 18: Genjutsu~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Despite the fact that it was noontime, the rooftops of Konohagakure no Sato were deserted but for the occasional shinobi vaulting from wall to wall to roof to roof, hastening toward their posts, or departing for an urgent mission. The rooftop held a serene silence, even as the noise of the bustling streets below drifted through the air. A pair of booted feet hit the rooftop gently and the masked figure knelt, light colored hair swaying with the movement. A slender gloved hand swiftly moved aside a bit of tile and reached into the crevice and extracted a scroll which was tucked into the equipment pouch. The Huntress pulled out another scroll and slipped it inside, and replaced the tile. She rose to her feet and vanished in a swirl of leaves.

 

Moments later, a dark figure, hooded and cloaked landed on the roof, shifted the tile, and took out the scroll. They tucked it into their sleeve, replaced the tile, and leapt away.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“Kazuki has grown very well… If I survive long enough for them to fully perceive their feelings, I will wish them both the best of luck. Kazuki and his father's favored student… They deserve this, and in the brief time they have met, they have been healing the other's hurts. Neither are aware of it yet, but I can see it, the beginnings of love growing inside of them. For now, they will heal… And I hope that they both know that they have my blessing… The Chunnin Exams are drawing near, and Kazuki's team is bound to be nominated. I intend for him to be revealed… It will be the unveiling of the greatest of all genjutsu, the hiding of Kazama Kazuki, son of Kazama Arashi inside of Uzumaki Naruto, the Kyuubi vessel without the use of any of the ninja arts…”

 

Tsunade set down the scroll and stared out the window at the Hokage Monument. “Kazama… is he?” her lips curved in an affectionate smile. “Arashi, you sly fox… When did you ever get the chance to have a son? And why the hell wasn't I told?!”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Time passed, and the manhunt continued…

 

Kiri, Suna, Oto and Konoha pursued the remainder of the Akatsuki with a fervor and determination that would forever be remembered in the sealed records of the Hunter-nin from the four villages.

 

The Nidaime of Oto sent word that the Akatsuki had tried to take refuge in the village but had left once they discovered that the Otokage was no longer Orochimaru. The fact that Oinin and ANBU wore unmarked masks had prevented the Akatsuki from realizing that a fourth of the forces sent after them had been Oto-nin.

 

Tsunade could not help but break into gales of hysterical laughter when she read the message from the Otokage. The administrators of the Hokage Tower avoided the Sannin for the rest of the day.

 

Naruto entered the office and blinked at the hysterical Tsunade. “Should I leave?” he said.

 

Tsunade grinned. “I got good news, that's all. The noose is tightening around the Akatsuki's neck, and soon, all they'll be able to do is to run into our wide open arms.”

 

Naruto nodded. “I'm sure you didn't call me here simply to tell me that.”

 

Tsunade nodded. “That's true. I've always known that you were the Yondaime's Legacy… I've simply never known that you shared a lineage! Why was I never told?”

 

Naruto blinked, an action that was lost behind his mask. “I could have sworn Jiraiya told you…”

 

“And I did tell her!” Jiraiya said from the window. “I can't believe you forgot!”

 

Tsunade blushed. “Ah… I guess I got too caught up in the Sandaime's records…”

 

“No…” Naruto said sarcastically, “We never noticed!”

 

“All right, enough,” Tsunade said, “what is this, gang up on Tsunade day?”

 

Jiraiya and Naruto grinned (Though Naruto's was hidden) and said simultaneously, “Officially, no, but since you said it, yes!”

 

Tsunade groaned and dropped her head on the desk. She just had to give the two ideas. She was so screwed.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

 

Naruto and Jiraiya paused near the entrance of the Hokage Tower.

 

“Did you sense it?” Naruto asked.

 

“The Genjutsu?” Jiraiya said, “Yes. It seems to be a strong one and it's likely that it's been there for a while…”

 

“Why would be a stupid question,” Naruto murmured, then looked at his teacher, “Can you find out who did it?”

 

“That will be like searching for a needle in a haystack,” Jiraiya groused, “but I'll try.”

 

Without another word, Hunter and Sannin parted ways.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Kakashi blinked as a Zeiguwa appeared at the edge of the training grounds. His newest genin team, stared openly at the masked newcomer who walked toward them.

 

“Zeiguwa?” Kakashi said, his voice carrying a hint of his surprise. “I though you had a meeting with the Hokage?”

 

“I did,” Zeiguwa said. He placed a gloved hand lightly on Kakashi's chest, leaned in and said softly, “Someone has placed an unknown genjutsu on the Godaime. Jiraiya's looking into who might have cast it, but if you get the chance, try to get Kurenai, Sasuke, Neji, or Hinata over to the Hokage Tower to check up on her. I'm going to look in on Shizune just incase. Make sure no one says anything important in front of her in the meantime.”

 

Kakashi nodded and Naruto smiled behind the mask. He lowered his hand and backed away, quickly giving Kakashi's hand a quick squeeze before vanishing once more in a plume of smoke.

 

“Sensei?” the girl said tentatively. “Who was that?”

 

Kakashi turned back toward his prospective students and his sole visible eye curved. “That was one of Konoha's Elite Ninja,” he said, “Consider yourselves lucky. Most of the time, the only people who see them are the ones who are about to die by their hands.”

 

The children gulped and Kakashi's grin became malicious. Let the games begin…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CSA Version 7 Mended Hearts What Are You Hiding?