Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Reflection of Oneself ❯ Rendezvous ( Chapter 9 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

The Reflection of Oneself

Chapter 9: Rendezvous

Loneliness.

There comes a point in all our lives in which we feel lonely - some of us more so then others. As strange as it may seem, we can even be alone amidst a crowd of people. What is it that makes us feel that way? Does it stem back to those day in our childhoods long past, when we were picked on by a bully and ignored by everyone else?

Or maybe it was the time when we were left of a game because the other believed that we were not `good' enough.

Whatever it is, it leaves us with a whole in our hearts that screams to be filled. Sometimes the wounds are healed and sometimes not, but what matters is that we never give up that search for fulfillment.

One day, we will find a way to end the loneliness, whether it is by the companionship of another or just a happy smile from a passerby. It is the simple pleasure in life that always takes away the pain.

Before he knew it, the day had past rather quickly. Nightfall had come upon Otogakure with the stealth of a wild cat, turning the afternoon that evening. As the sun began to set in the west, the people of the Oto began to move indoors, seeking the warms of their homes for the night, save for the shinobi in charge of patrolling the village walls.

Retuning to his apartment after a long day of training, Nanikato decided to take a quick shower in order to wash off the day's aches, pains and accumulated grime before his appointment with Orochimaru. He didn't want to go before the older man sticking of dirt, blood and sweat. Nanikato

When he decided that he was pruned enough, the blonde turned off the water and reached for the large fluffy towel that was hanging from the nearby towel bar.

Drying himself off, he wrapped the towel securely around his waist. Rubbing a spot clear on the bathroom mirror, the boy took a comb and began to work the knots out of his unruly sunshine hair. As soon as it was a tamed as possible, which wasn't much, the pre-teen snatched up a hair tie and bound the shoulder length locks at the nap of his neck.

Satisfied, Nanikato began to dress himself in the dark purple haori with light green ivy print and loose fitting white pants he had received as a present from Kabuto a few days ago. When he was fully dressed, the boy gazed at his reflection, looking at the face on the other side that stared back him with large uncertain blue eyes.

He sighed, confused as he tried to understand what his purpose for the future was.

But for the sake of his sanity, he brushed those thoughts aside and headed out of the bathroom. Venturing back into his bedroom, he grabbed his house keys exited, walking a few more few to the door leading out of his apartment. He paused; slipping on a pair of indoor slippers them opened the door. Stepping out of the small apartment, he locked the door.

The journey through the tower was eventful to say the least, a few shinobi that bowed or nodded respectfully to him in passing, which he returned in kind. There was also the hum of shinobi bustling about, finishing up their chores of the day so that they would get to go home like everyone else instead of getting stuck with overtime.

As he arrived at the Otokage's office/`glorified throne room' as Sasuke liked to call it, the door swung open on his own accord, beckoning him to enter. Nanikato entered the candle lit chamber and glanced around the room with a slight shudder. As expected, Orochimaru was seated at his desk, like always, this time reading and smirking at something written upon a yellowed piece of parchment.

As he approached, the older man finally looked up.

“So you've come…”

The blonde nodded. “Yes Orochimaru-sama. Today's training was longer then expected. Sasuke-sensei says my Hissori no Ryuuchouken style is coming along good - as of this afternoon, I completed all ninety forms. He gives me five months to a year before I successfully master it”

“Very good. You are progressing better then I imagined you would” Orochimaru replied, placing the parchment down upon his desk and standing.

“Arigatou”

“Now then. I seem to remember summoning you here for a reward. You will be one of few shinobi ever given the privilege to choose jutsu among the many dangerous and forbidden arts that I have collected over the course of my life. Sasuke-kun and Tayuya-san are two such people, as they are both masters of their craft. Although they have balanced themselves by learning other jutsu, Sasuke, with the power of his Sharingan, is a Ninjutsu Master and Tayuya, with the gift of melody, is a Genjutsu Mistress”

“I remember Sasuke-sensei telling me something of that sort. I have yet to discover where my talents truly lie, which no doubt take many years”

“How true,” Orochimaru commented. “You are wise beyond your years child. There are not many people in the world these days that would admit even that. But whatever field your talents lie, I'm sure you will become the greatest of them all. Now lets proceed with finding you some jutsu”

The pale man turned and began moving the massive tapestry that hung behind his desk to expose a hidden door. Opening the door to reveal as darkened corridor, he gestured for Nanikato to follow. Without hesitation, the blonde followed Orochimaru through the door into the corridor.

They traversed the dark corridor, which led them down into the ground. After a few minutes of walking, they came to stop before a large door decorated with numerous seals. The blonde watched closely as the Snake Sannin bit his thumb, smearing blood over various seals as he began to unseal the door. As soon as all the seals were undone, a blinding flash of light filled the corridor and the door swung inwards.

Beyond the door was another smaller chamber, but unlike Orochimaru's darkened office above ground, this one was brightly lit with torches, gold, sliver and colorful fabrics. It was a secret library, a writing desk in the center of the room while all four walls were covered with shelves, open them a vast variety of books and scrolls. Some of them so old they had begun to fall apart.

“Sugoi…” Nanikato whispered, blue eyes wide.

Orochimaru turned to him. “This is my privet collection that contains various types of genjutsu, ninjutsu, taijutsu, ijutsu, kenjutsu and kinjutsu. All jutsu that you find in this room are B-rank and higher, though the greater percentage is S-rank. Much of what I preserve here has been forbidden in other hidden village or the Elemental Countries entirely. Which ever two you choose, choose well”

The blonde nodded.

“Yes Orochimaru-sama”

“When you done, return to my office. The door will reseal itself when you leave”

The boy nodded once more and bowed slightly, directly seeking out the shelves that contained the S-rank jutsu. But as he did do, however, he completely missing the serpentine smile that graced Orochimaru's face as he left the room. As soon as the Snake Sannin was gone, Nanikato began riffling through the scrolls with an excited vigor, intent of finding the perfect jutsu.

So it was while he was poking around the S-rank kenjutsu that he found the first jutsu of his search, one that would work perfectly with his rest of his abilities as well as to allow him the chance to learn a new style. He had always wanted to have a sword…

Tengoku-taki no Yaiba Soushi

Lower S-rank ninjutsu/kenjutsu. This technique allows the user to a sword of great power. Its creation depends on the strength and quality of the soul of its creator, thus becoming a blade of solidified chakra when summoned into battle.

If the creator has as soul of Earth, the blade will quake with the growth of creation.

If the creator has as soul of Air, the blade will blow with the winds of change.

If the creator has as soul of Fire, the blade will burn with the flames of passion.

If the creator has as soul of Water, the blade will ripple with the waves of serenity.

If the creator has as soul of Lightning, the blade will spark with shock retribution.

If the creator has as soul of Darkness, the blade will dim with the shadows of doom.

If the creator has as soul of Purity, the blade will dazzle with the brilliance light.

The outcome for all swords is different, as all souls are unique. There are only four styles of swords known to be created by this technique and those are Katana, Sakubato, Wakizashi and Zanpakuto. If there are others, it had yet to be discovered.

After he read the instructions on how to create the blade, he placed it in his pocket and returned to his search. As he browsed, he came across such things as genjutsu capable of making the victim cause bodily harm upon themselves to taijutsu forms so arcane that they were almost impossible to perform. In the end he found his second jutsu, which turned out to be grand summoning.

It had taken him about twenty minutes to find this one, and it was a true diamond in the rough. Though while as difficult as it was powerful, it complemented his spiritual powers like the other he had chosen had. Satisfied with his find, the boy began to read.

Kuchiyose: Setsuzuko no Seirei

Upper S-rank kinjutsu. This technique allows the possessor to create a contract with Shinigami, thus allows them to gain the ability to summon the souls of the earthbound dead into battle. Once an agreement can be reached with Shinigami, it is up to the user to make partnerships with the souls that he/she will summon. When summoned to battle, the soul called will receive the flesh-and-blood corporeal body that they once possessed during their life until they are defeated, run out of chakra or are dismissed.

Note: No soul can be forced to adhere to contract. They must agree to fight for the summoner willingly on their own accord, just as they have the choice to break the partnership and leave whenever they see fit.

Nanikato allowed himself a small smile.

Although she was a gentle soul, if he could get Tanabata-hime to agree to help him, her visionary powers would a great asset. If Shinigami agreed to let him summon the souls of the dead, then he'd be an unstoppable force. As for other souls he would have to convince, there would be many long deceased warriors that would willing jump at the chance to `live' again, even if was for a short time like the summoning beasts.

Nodding to himself, he unfurled the scroll further. There are the end of the aged document was a pair of strange seals with the kanji 1-10 around them, five for each.

- Coat all eight fingers and two thumbs in blood, place each finger/thumb upon the indicated numbers and then both palms down in the center of the seals -

Following the instructions carefully, Nanikato bit each thumb and began to smear the blood upon his other fingers evenly. First he placed his left pinky finger down upon the kanji for the number one and watched as it began to glow. The symbols began to glow brighter as he continued to add more bloodied fingers upon the seal.

Taking a deep breath, he slammed his palms down upon the seals and then everything went black.

-.ooOoo.-

Elsewhere:

He groaned weakly, awakening after what felt like hours. If the pain and the lethargic felling of chakra exhaustion were indicators that the seals had worked, the darkness that greeted Nanikato's eyes as he opened them was.

Darkness.

It wasn't at all like when he had awoken those times in his mind when he first met Naruto-niisan - this was something entirely different. He wasn't in a corridor of stone of any kind, but rather deserted moor at midnight covered in unearthly mists that seemed to have minds of their own, twirling and swirling like ballroom dancers.

“Where am I?”

Rubbing his itchy eyes, he gazed upwards and noticed how close the stars were and how large the moon was. They gave light and yet their light could penetrate the shadows he stood within. Activating the power of his eyes, he gasped in astonished as he `seen' that while the shadows seemed perpetual, everything around him wherever he was brighter then the sun.

He was in essence; surrounded by spiritual energies so thick they were nearly tangible. Wherever he was, he certainly wasn't on the earthly plan he called home.

“Who dares to trespass within my realm?”

The blonde started violently, turning sharply to gaze in stunned silence up at a god. Towering over him by nearly a hundred feet was the great and terrible pantheon Shinigami - the God of Death.

Mouth unable to work properly, he gapped up at the massive god in silence, feeling nothing more then the tiniest of bugs to be squashed. The legends that described the Death God did him no justice. While most believed the god to be a monstrous figure of disaster and darkness, he was not.

Before him was a giant of a man, cloaked in night with waist length hair like that shown and shimmered like starlight. His eyes, ancient and wise, showed an odd mixture of benevolence and malevolence. It was clear that he was good and bad, partial to the fact the whether you were a saint or a sinner. When he decided that your time had come, Shinigami take it away. And so feared he was by those who had reason to fear him just as he was feared by those that did not.

It was the blessing and the curse of all gods to be both loved and feared.

“A human… and a living one at that?” Shinigami said, knelling down in the never-ending moors before him, looking into the Nanikato's eyes as if he was staring into his souls, and maybe he was. “How did you come here child?”

Nanikato sputtered incoherently.

“Well?”

“I-I-I've c-come to ask y-your p-permission to s-summon spirits, S-Shinigami-dono” he stuttered badly, trying to reign in control of his stampeding heart.

“But how is it that you came here?”

“A s-seal, milord - ancient. It b-brought me here so that I could make a c-contracted w-with you”

Shinigami stared at him, as if gauging him, and then picked the terrified boy up and held him in his hand.

“Ah yes, the Soul Summoning Contract” he replied.“That was one of the two things I left with the human race. One other was a sealing contract that required its user to sacrifice their soul…” the god gazed at him again, his brow furrowing. “You look very much like the man that scarified his soul. But his clan is gone now, extinct with the death of his only son and heir. You even look like the boy…”

“It was N-Naruto-niisan, wasn't it?”

“How do you know his name?”

Nanikato frowned.

“I thought gods knew everything”

Shinigami smiled. “I could force it out of your mind if I wished child, but I have asked you instead”

“H-he protected me. Naruto-niisan said that after he died he stayed behind in order to protect my brothers and I from a horrible power. He was unable to save my brothers and they died, leaving only me”

The God of Death frowned this time, his silver eyes clouding over as he began to think. After a minute or so, his visage became grim”

“Ah… so you are thatchild. I see, so you were the gifted with Soul Sight. We thank you for the souls you saved yesterday, by the way”

“No p-problem” Nanikato squeaked. “I hate to see suffering”

“Even though you are shinobi?”

“Yes. You choose which people die, but if their mortal ending should be bestowed by my hand, I would make it merciful”

“Is that so? And why is that you want my permission to use the Soul Summoning Contract? Don't you think that would contradict you?”

The blonde sighed. “It would yes, but after reading what the contract entails, I think it would be nice to allow the earthbound ghosts a chance to `live' again, even if it was only for a short while. After all, they must have some reason for having stayed behind”

Shinigami nodded, satisfied with his answer.

“And what will you give me for it?”

That was something in which Nanikato had no reply for. What could give the God of Death that would be of any importance to him? He had nothing on him of value and he couldn't give away his soul because that would defeat the whole purpose for having come here. Why hadn't he thought that something like this would happen? After all, nothing in life or death was free.

“I don't know” the boy replied truthfully. “Anything I have of value to give you would defeat my purpose for having come here. If you can think of something, then ask for it”

“Your kikkai genkai - your original one”

“Nani?”

“Though the blood that runs through your veins may not be a strong with the gift as the ones that came before you, your clan possessed a gift for speed. It is awakened during late puberty, so you wouldn't have access to it for about several years. My payment for the contract is that you sacrifice to me your `Sumiyaka'”

Sumiyaka…

The bloodline limit of his family, the one he was never going to know. It hurt, knowing that in order to get the contract he came for, he would have to give up one of the only ties he had left to his mysterious family. It wasn't that it really matter, as he had another unique talent all his own, but it did cause a twinge in his heart. As sacrifice of the heart…

“Yes, take it. I have no use of it”

Shinigami nodded. “Very well”

The next thing that happened caused Nanikato to collapse in the mighty god's hand. He felt as he was being drained, and true, a gift of his blood was being drained from him in exchange for something else. As it siphoned out him, he knew a piece of his heart was going with it. A small sacrifice, he tried to convince himself.

When it was finally done, he looked up at the Death God.

“You did well child. Look at your right wrist”

He did as he was bid, raising his right arm. Upon his wrist now was a tattoo. It coiled in the figure eight pattern of eternity, the top of each a few centimeters from joining. It wouldn't do to trap his soul in his body, would it?

“A-arigatou”

“Use my gift well and do not abuse it. I am sending you back now to your body now”

He nodded. “Sayonara, Shinigami-dono”

“Sayonara, Nanikato - till the day we meet again”

“Yes, till the day we meet again”

And then he was gone.

-.ooOoo.-

Light exploded around him as he returned to his body, and completely out of proportion, Nanikato fell flat on his ass. He was silent as he sat in the bright underground chamber, quietly thinking about what had just transpired. He had met with Shinigami and lived to tell the tale - it was one that many others could admit to experiencing also.

Without a word the blonde stood, putting everything back where he had found it. When it was done, he looked around and shivered. With a distant look upon his face, he headed for the door. Exiting the vault, the door snapped shut behind him and a flash filled the corridor as the seals reformed.

Alone in the dark now, Nanikato quickened his pace so that he was nearly sprinting back to the office above. He didn't want to be alone right now. Arriving at the door that led to Orochimaru's office, he threw it open and burst into the chamber. He didn't care about the startled look he received from Kabuto, who had been discussing something with the Snake Sannin.

It didn't matter at all.

Sinking to the floor, he shuddered all over with his head in his hands. He hadn't even been aware that he was crying. Sacrifice. He had just scarified the only thing that he had left of his family.

“Nanikato-kun, are you alright?”

He looked up to see Kabuto looking down at him with genuine concern. But even then he couldn't answer the gray haired man's question. Instead, Orochimaru came to his side, lifting his limp form into his arms and into his ear he whispered.

“I can make the pain go away”

And as a set of fangs plunged deeply into his neck, he welcomed the darkness.

-.ooOoo.-

Konohagakure; Fire Country:

In another country, many hundred miles of away, the Shinobi Village of Konohagakure sat hidden among the leaves of a mighty forest. With the growth spring of early spring, the foliage was lush and the flowers beginning to bloom.

To look at it now, one would not have guessed that only a year ago it had played host to an near endless six year long war. The beauty had been rendered down to a deadened wasteland, a battlefield wrought by blood, death and fire.

Yet a little over a year ago the war had come to a stalemate and both sides had retreated. As soon as the Oto ranks had drew back and the Cold War had begun, Konoha had taken those months of recovery to fortify its defenses and training what shinobi they had left. The war had hardened the hearts of many, causing the tension in the spring air to be pull taut. As soon as they were sure the war was finally over, then they would rest because right now too many people counted on them.

Since it was still unknown as to when their enemies would decide to strike again, they would take no chances.

`But even if the war does end, nothing will ever be the same again. Not without Naruto…'

Overlooking the vast view of the forest and the village at its center cast in the glow of the evening sunset was a one such warrior. But while the others would describe it as a tragedy if it were to happen, he wouldn't mind getting the chance to watch the village go up in flames. If it wasn't for the innocent children, the new generation that was untainted by the jaded prejudice of their parents before them, he would have seen to it himself long ago.

It had been a long time; twelve years in fact, that one Umino Iruka had truly cared for the welfare of his once beloved village. Even after all these years, he still mourned the loss of his `little brother', the pain in his heart hurting even now. For those that hadn't seen the man in many years would have been shocked to see him now, the kindly chuunin academy sensei turned aloof Anbu.

But one thing was for certain; he was one man not to be crossed.

It was well known in Konoha that Iruka had taken the death of Uzumaki Naruto the hardest. No one's pain compared to his, not even that of Tsunade, the Godaime Hokage, or Hyuuga Hinata, the Hyuuga Heiress. While there had been others that had either loved or cared about the blonde boy, there had been none so like him. Since his adoptive brother's death all those years ago, the once sweet and naïve Iruka's heart had become a shadow of whom he had once been.

- Flashback -

“They should be back by now!”

Iruka fidgeted, muttering to himself as he looked at the sky, watching as dark storm clouds slowly began to consume the light. Something bad was going to happen, he just knew it.

“Calm down Iruka-sensei” he looked to his right to see that Haruno Sakura had come to stand by his side. “I'm sure they'll be alright”

But the fact that the young girl was practically in tears did nothing to ease his fears. Although she tried to put on a brave face, Sakura was just as frightened as he was, even if it was only for the sake of a traitor.

“Thank you Sakura” he replied, his voice strained.

Thankfully, those words were enough to make the girl go away. He didn't want her to be here, to see him worry and become more worried with each passing second. It was his parental instincts talking, how he loved and loathed them. At this time, six of his former students were away from the village, on a mission to bring back a seventh that betrayed them all.

One of them being his little brother.

Having been informed of the mission that Naruto was involved in the mission to retrieve Uchiha Sasuke, who, it was plain to see by anyone, had left the village for his own selfish reasons, he had come to stand at the gates and wait for them.

Iruka couldn't help but fear for them. Only a small group of genin and one rookie chuunin - the chances of their survival was exceedingly low, considering that they would be facing tools that Orochimaru had molded from destruction.

He just wanted Naruto to come home safely.

“Look! Someone's coming!”

As he stood anxiously at the gates, desperately waiting to see a certain blonde's whiskered face, the first group of medic-nins that been dispatched to aid the team had returned.

With them was Akimichi Choji. The large boy was in serious condition, having practically consumed himself during his fight from the overuse of his clan's jutsus. The fact that the boy's condition was so bad, he feared what Naruto would come home to him like.

Ten minutes after the first group returned, the second group arrived, with them Hyuuga Neji, who wavered between dangerous between life and death. The young Hyuuga prodigy was even worse off then the Akimichi, thus given Iruka no hope at all.

Finally, the third group bringing back a slightly wounded Inuzuka Kiba and his dog Akamaru soon followed them. On foot was Nara Shikamaru and the Suna-nin Temari, soon followed thereafter by Rock Lee and the Suna-nin jinchuuriki Sabaku no Gaara. There conditions were good considering the ones of the two boys that had come before them.

Now there were only two remaining, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke - the one that had betrayed them all.

“Don't worry Iruka-sensei,” Shikamaru was saying, though he could barely hear the boy. “I'm sure Naruto will be alright. The four that came to take the Uchiha have been taken care of, so its only Naruto and Sasuke now - I have faith that he won't let Sasuke leave. He's too stubborn to let that happen”

“Yeah…” Iruka found himself replying. “He'll probably drag him back kicking and screaming…”

“Yeah… how troublesome”

And so Iruka waited, growing more impatient and frighten as the minutes passed. He took to pacing, receiving stares from Tsunade and all those who had remained waiting for the last ones left to arrive. That was when the darkened clouds in the sky above him burst, pouring down in torrents.

Drenched to the bone from the rains, the scarred young man shuddered, a feeling of foreboding washing over him.

`Naruto will come back safely' he thought to himself, trying desperately to reassure himself.

Naruto just had to come back safe…

It was nearly a half an hour of nail-biting agony later that a figure appeared in the distance. It was Hatake Kakashi and in his arms, an orange bundle with bright blonde hair. The worried chuunin only then let go of the breath he hadn't known he had been holding; relieved.

Naruto was home…

But as Kakashi passed through the gates, that feeling of dread returned to Iruka full force, causing his heart to skip a few beats.

Moving forward, he looked upon the limp form in the silver haired jounin's arms and suddenly became too well aware of exactly how bloodless looking Naruto skin had become. He froze, unable to continue as he watched his little brother's jounin sensei walk up to the Hokage and gently place the lifeless form with a fist sized hole in his chest down before her.

“I'm so sorry” Kakashi was saying. “I wasn't able to make it in time. Sasuke… he…”

It just couldn't be…

When Tsunade burst into tears, Iruka felt his reality shatter, his worst fears confirmed. First his parents had been taken from him, now Naruto. The knowledge caused the whole where a gentle heart once beat to be consumed by a fury like no other. It swallowed all of sanity and commonsense as one thought burned itself permanently into his mind.

`Kakashi fault'

He stared blankly as Kakashi began walking towards him now, his lips moving. But he could hear no sound coming from them. As soon as the silver haired man was in reach however, Iruka finally broke free of the shock and attacked.

His actions shocked everyone. He screaming till his throat was raw and there was no one that could hold him back - he was unstoppable.

“Its all your fault you bastard!” he roared, beating at whatever part of the other man he could. “Its all your fault. I hope Kami-sama and Shinigami-sama damn you to the deepest, darkest pits of the ninth hell, Hatake Kakashi! If it wasn't for you teaching that fucking selfish spoilt little brat that bloody assassination jutsu, then my otouto would STILL BE ALIVE!”

- End Flashback -

The aftermath of that day had left Kakashi confined to a hospital bed for several months. As for himself, however, it would be two years before he would be release from the psychiatric ward.

Since his release ten years ago, he was fine if he wasn't in the presence of Hatake Kakashi. He never again able to control his violent tendencies around the older man, as he tried numerous times during the years to castrate the bastard for what he had done - and he had very nearly succeeded half of that.

“Tora-san…” he turned, staring through the eyeholes of his tiger mask down at a fellow Anbu that was perched in a nearby tree. “The Hokage requires your presence as soon as possible”

“Thank you Saru-san. I'll be there right away”

Other Anbu nodded and vanished in a swirl of leaves. He stared at that spot for a moment longer before he formed the appropriate seals in which to follow. As he vanished from his spot in the trees, he thought.

`I wonder what Shikamaru wants with me now?'

-.ooOoo.-

Translations/Original Jutsu:

Tengoku-taki no Yaiba Soushi - Celestial Blade Creation

Kuchiyose: Setsuzoku no Seirei - Summoning: Union of Souls