Chapter 2:
Uzumaki
Naruto, for the second time in less than a day or what he thought could be less than a day since all perception of time was just basically thrown out the window by this point, felt his entire body burn as if it were engulfed in a giant Uchiha-styled fireball. In other words, his body was in extreme pain.
Finally feeling his vision return to his eyes after being blinded by yet another light, Naruto cursed out loud as more pain coursed through his body. Who knew that time travel was so damn painful? Then again, the Sennin did say that his body was supposed to disintegrate into nothingness by traveling through time. Maybe that was it, why his body hurt so much! It was broken down by traveling through time only for it to be rebuilt again! No doubt through the Sennin's power once again. Still, the pain was worth it if the only other choice was to be dead.
Nodding his now existent head, Naruto let a grin appear on his face, feeling completely proud at having figured something out. And people called him an idiot. Ha! Preposterous!
"No matter how many times I see it, that grin is still as dumb as it's always been."
One of Naruto's eyebrows twitched at hearing the comment. Finally taking the time to look at his surroundings, Naruto found himself in the familiarity that was the sewer of his conscious. And before him stood the familiar and sarcastic nine tailed fox, recently named Kurama. Said bijuu was currently lying down, his head on top of his paws as he looked at his host with the utmost amusement in his ruby eyes, not even bothering to hide it. Something which pissed Naruto off.
"Why do I get the feeling that I'm not going to enjoy at whatever it is that's got you so amused?"
Kurama shrugged, or what looked as a shrug anyways. "Don't know. You tell me, brat. Or what? I can't be happy at seeing butterflies flying in the open air with a beautiful sunset in the background?"
Even Naruto could tell that that was sarcasm at its finest. "Yeah, yeah, I know. You know. Everybody knows you're too good for stuff like that."
A massive smirked formed on the bijuu's face. "Heh, I'm glad we're on the same page then, brat." A serious look then took its place. "Let's get to business then."
Seeing this and hearing the seriousness behind the bijuu's tone, Naruto focused all his attention back on this. Even the pain was already leaving his body. Thank Kami for that.
Seeing his host focusing entirely on him, Kurama began, "First, there's quite a few details that the old man didn't have the time to tell you, brat. But you have to understand that he was rushed even if he didn't show it."
Confusion showed itself on the blond's face. "Why? I mean, weren't we inside that break? I thought time didn't exist there!"
Kurama nodded. "You're right about that. But that's not what I'm talking about. You remember how he told you and the Uchiha how your bodies would have been disintegrated the moment that you were absorbed into that break?" At Naruto's nod, he continued, "Well, what he didn't mention to you was how it still would have happened even after you were inside."
Naruto looked even more confused. "Why? I mean, how could that even happen!"
"It's quite simple, brat. Although for someone like you, it might not be."
Naruto scowled at the joke.
Kurama chuckled for a moment before carrying on, "As I was saying, it's quite simple. Human bodies aren't meant to exist there. I would have been fine since all I am is a highly mass of chakra with no "real" body. The old man was fine too as he was simply a spirit."
A shiver ran down Naruto's back at that. He hadn't thought about it before, but he had basically been talking to a ghost! And he was scared of them! Yes, ladies and gentleman, he could stand up to a madman that was trying to enslave the world in a powerful illusion as well as face what was to be known a god which had basically created the world but could not stand up to a measly ghost. But hey, everyone had his own fear….right!?
Not taking notice, or rather not caring, of his partner's "predicament," Kurama continued on with his explanation.
"But what you should know is that in that break there is highly energized energy, most likely being the components that make it up which do not abide by the rules of the natural world. Of course, even I can't explain it fully since I don't even know how they can exist in the first place. Maybe the old man knows." The beast shrugged. "At any rate, it's that same energy that would have tore your bodies apart if it hadn't been for the old man preventing that."
Naruto's eyes were wide. "He can do that?"
The bijuu smirked. "Trust me, I was as surprised as you were. I don't know. He said something about it being a 'blessing' of some sort. But it wouldn't' have lasted long. That's why he sent you and the Uchiha off as soon as he could with the most information he could give you in the available time. But of course, he was bound to not have told you some things."
Naruto frowned as he remembered the last thing the Sennin had told them. "Yeah. Like Sasuke and me being separated for a while…." The gears in his brain began to turn. "Hold up, if Sasuke and I are not together right now, then where are we!? And where is he for that matter!?"
Kurama h'mphed. "Ah, you finally asked, eh? Well, it would be more amusing to not tell you and watch your reaction when you do find out."
Naruto t'ched, but before he could complain, the bijuu continued.
"Relax, brat. In normal circumstances, I would do that. Then again, I wonder how being sent back in time could be considered to be in normal circumstances…." The giant fox trailed off before coming back. "Anyway, I'm not going to do that. Not with what's at stake and how delicate handling the first step will be."
Naruto began to sweat a bit. He most certainly did not like the sound of that. Or the way that Kurama even said it. But a promise was a promise. And he never went back on his promise.
"Don't keep me in suspense too much longer, furball. Just tell me where I am right now."
Waiting just a moment longer to savor the moment for at least a second, the nine tailed bijuu finally answered. "We're in Uzu, brat. The homeland where you're mother is from and indirectly you as well."
Silence reign supreme after Kurama said that. Naruto merely looked at him with a blank look for about ten seconds before he finally exploded.
"WHAT!"
Kurama burst out in laughter. "Hahaha! Okay, maybe it was still just as funny as if you would have found out by someone else telling you."
Naruto was hyperventilating Kurama wiped some imaginary tears from his eyes with his tails. So….he was in Uzu. The same place which had been destroyed after the Second Shinobi War if he remember correctly. Or something along those lines. The same place which was where his mother had been born. But this was too much! He had never giving it much thought until now, but the blond Uzumaki finally realized that he would meet his parents in time when they were just kids. Or maybe not even kids if they hadn't even born yet depending on when exactly he landed. Ugh, his brain was going to overload from thinking too much!
Kurama simply enjoyed the show in front of him. It was a blessing of course. One which he would not let go to ruins.
It actually took Naruto a few minutes before he finally calmed down. Putting a hand on his stomach, Naruto looked up at the amused fox.
"Why are we here of all places, Kurama? Why did the Rikudo Sennin even sent us here in the fist place!? Shouldn't we be in Konoha!? That's where Obito is from! How am I even supposed to get there now? Because I'm sure that they won't just let a stranger like me just waltz in there! Especially during this time!"
Kurama did have to admit that the blond did have a point. Based on wrong assumptions of course. "Don't underestimate the old man, Naruto. He knew that things are different in Konoha considering that they're at war right now. But he had his reasons for sending us here first."
Naruto looked at him in the eyes. "And I'm guessing that you won't tell me those reasons?"
Kurama sighed. "That's between you and the old man. Do you want to complain? Take it up with him. He simply told me what he was doing. I had no control in this."
Naruto opened his mouth to say something but then closed it. It wasn't like he blamed the Sennin for what he did. Quite the opposite. After all, the opportunity that he had given both him and Sasuke was one that no one else had ever been given before! They had the chance to actually save the Shinobi world from Obito's and Madara's actions. For the Fourth Shinobi war to never occur in the first place!
Looking at Kurama, Naruto nodded. "I…understand. I mean, I don't understand why he would sent me here first, but I do understand that it's not your fault or that I should be complaining."
Kurama was actually impressed. The brat was indeed growing up. Who would have figured? But the bijuu would keep that thought to himself.
Scratching the back of his head, Naruto continued, "So I'm guessing that Sasuke's in Konoha right now, right?"
Kurama nodded. "Indeed. The old man told me how there were things that the Uchiha needed to do there on his own just like you do here in Uzu."
Naruto sighed but nodded. "I get it. Most likely things with his clan….."
Kurama grinned. "Don't forget, brat, that now you have a clan too. At this time, the Uzumaki clan is still in existence."
Naruto's eyes widened as he finally realized that fact. "You're right! I had completely forgotten about that! But wait, does that mean that kaa-chan is here right now too?"
Kurama was silent for a seconds before answering slowly, "From what I know, she should be. I don't really know since I wasn't sealed in her at the time, so things before that are a mystery to me."
Naruto chuckled as he placed both of his arms behind his head, a goofy smile on his face. "Hehehe, it'll be funny, seeing her as a little kid."
'That makes two of us,' thought Kurama before he added, this time out loud. "Remember, brat, that she's not technically your mother at this point. So don't go around screaming 'kaa-chan' at her. You'll simply freak her out and others as well."
Naruto deflated slightly at hearing this, not having had considered this fact. "You're right….." But then he perked right back up. "Well, at least I'll get to see her and hopefully protect her too. That's enough for me."
'Of course it is,' stated the bijuu in his mind. If there was one thing that Kurama did like about Naruto was that the blond never complained when it really mattered. He only saw the positives of a bad thing whereas other humans would simply look at the negatives. It was one of the reasons why the giant fox really did believe that Naruto could bring peace to the Elemental Nations, just like the old man wanted. And he would help him. After all, Naruto's will was the old man's will. And the old man was just like a father to him. He had created him and all of the other bijuu so how could he not? It was only natural.
The complete opposite could be said about Sasuke, though. Then again, both Naruto and Sasuke were like yin and yang. They complemented each other. Together, they were most than likely unstoppable which was why they were both the best candidates for this task. But that was simply one of the reasons why the old man had chosen them. Kurama could tell that there were more, but he couldn't quite place his tails as to what the others could be. At least, not yet. But soon, he would.
Naruto was looking around when the bijuu finally came out of his thoughts. Looking up at him, Naruto asked, "So? When exactly am I going to wake up? And just where in Uzu am I?"
Kurama closed his eyes, trying to look to the real world. After a minute, he finally opened them and looked down at his host. "The second one is easy to answer. From what I can tell, you're in a hospital right now. I could be mistaken, but that's the most likely place where they put you in. As for your first question…."
The bijuu could only shrug. "I have no idea. This is the first time that I've dealt with this type of situation, so I can't really say. At least until both your body and mind return to one hundred percent or close to it."
Naruto held his head, feeling another headache coming. "Just great." He didn't really enjoy the idea of being unconsciousness in an entirely different time period without knowing anyone except for one single person with said person being who knew how many miles away. It left him vulnerable. And in this current situation and circumstances, it wasn't a good thing. He could not fail without even being given a chance! That would just plain suck like a major kick in the balls.
Sensing the distress coming from his host, Kurama grinned darkly. Oh, he was so going to enjoy what he was about to say. It would completely top the whole "being back in Uzu" detail from before. It would be ten times better! Maybe even more so if he was lucky. Ah, yes. He could already see it. The look of both shock and despair on Naruto's face to say the least.
It seemed as if some things never changed.
"Oi, brat."
Looking up at the fox, Naruto had a sudden bad feeling at the bottom of his stomach as he saw the grin on the giant fox's face. Hell, he could sense the excitement radiating from the bijuu! It was almost as if that were the power that he contained! Excitement instead of chakra. Not a very useful power in a fight alright.
Gulping down a sudden lump down his throat, Naruto knew that he was going regret saying this but wasn't able to quell his curiosity.
"What is it, furball?"
The grin on Kurama's face became even wider. "Don't worry about them doing anything to you. The Uzumaki clan has always been known for their generosity unless provoked, especially to poor, defenseless children."
Confusion replaced fear. "And just what do you mean by saying that? I mean, I'm not a kid….."
Kurama continued to grin. "Why, I'm so glad you asked that. Why don't you just take a good look at your reflection in the sewer water, brat. It'll explain everything to you."
Naruto simply looked at the bijuu in confusion for a moment longer before doing what the fox told him to. Truth be told, it didn't even take a single second after Naruto had looked into his own reflection for him to perform his responsive action from what stared back at him.
He screamed. In midst of his screams, he failed to notice the laughter which the nine tailed bijuu could no longer contain. It seemed as if it had been a great day for one fox while a horrible one for one blond individual.
"Is he still not awake yet?"
"We're terrible sorry, Arashi-sama, but no. It seems as if the boy has been quite through a lot before he arrived here. His body had almost completely shut down. Even now, his respiratory system isn't back to one hundred percent yet. It's a miracle that he was still alive when you found him."
Uzumaki Arashi, the current head of the Uzumaki clan, stroked his long red beard as he listened to what the doctor in front of him told him. Despite his age, his hair had yet to lose its lively red color as it flowed all the way down to his lower back, something which he was extremely grateful for. He also had dark green eyes which expressed much caring for most of their life. He currently wore what looked to be as Kage robes which were the normal white with light blue color one, almost similar to the robes that the Kazekage of Suna wore.
"I see…."
There was another man next to him, almost similar in appearance except for the fact his hair was a lot shorter than Arashi's as well as having hazel blue eyes instead of the dark green of the fellow Uzumaki next to him. He wore a simple white male kimono.
"Why are you even so interested in this boy, old friend? While it is true that his washing up from the sea is intriguing, he's of no threat. He's probably just an orphan from this war that somehow got trapped into the sea and ended up here."
Arashi turned to look at him. "While that may be true, I wouldn't put it past the other nations from planting a spy in here through the most of ridiculous of circumstances, even if it is just in a form of a boy. Especially that Onoki. You know how he is. Of course, there's also the possibility of it being Kumo as well. You know how they've been trying to get a hand on our secrets of fuinjutsu for the longest of times."
The man sighed. "I know that. I'm just trying to ignore it is all. If I were to acknowledge that shinobi would even use a child as young as this, it would just make me lose even more faith in the Great Nations."
'But that's how it's always been,' thought Arashi as he focused his gaze back to the sleeping blond child inside the room through the big glass window. 'Even before the villages were founded, children were merely raised for war.' Arashi released a tired sigh. Things were always just too complicated.
The doctor bowed, seeing as his presence was no longer needed. "If you excuse me."
Arashi waved him off as the doctor turned and walked off. The two men stood in silence for a few moments before the other man spoke, "Do you really think that this boy could be a spy?"
Arashi sighed again. "I really don't know what to believe anymore, Kenji. Both Iwa and Kumo are getting too restless for my tastes. Even though we've declared ourselves neutral from this war, we've still been dragged into it."
The now named Kenji shrugged. "Well, we do have a treaty with Konoha. You know how much Onoki despises them. And Kumo just wants one of us to create their own brainwashed Uzumaki clan for their own purposes as well as gain their hand on our fuinjutsu techniques."
Arashi nodded. "Exactly. I have both my family and this village to protect. No matter how much it may destroy me inside, I will kill this boy if he turns out to be a spy from one of them. I can't risk my people."
Kenji chuckled. "And that's why the people love you so much. Even now, you haven't changed one bit, old friend."
Arashi chuckled back in response. "Ha, I'll take that as a compliment."
Both men continued to chuckle for a few seconds before turning their attention back to the sleeping boy inside the room. A moment later, the machines strapped to him in order to stabilize his condition began to sound off.
Both men looked at each other. That didn't sound good. In these situations, it was better to get the doctor.
Back in the realm of the unconscious, Naruto was in the process of hyperventilating once more. He was on his knees and hunched over, coughing loudly as his brain tried to keep up with what his eyes had just transmitted to it.
Kurama, having stopped laughing at seeing the serious reaction that Naruto now had, was now trying to help his host come out of his shock.
"You've got to calm down, brat! Remember what the old man told you! To not panic, no matter what happened!" It would be a major bust if Naruto died here just because of a little panic attack. Hell, without even having done anything! Kurama would not let that happen. Not on his watch.
But it seemed as if he didn't have to do anything as Naruto took control of his coughs, calming himself as he took huge gulps of air.
"Y-yeah, I know, furball! Just give me a minute!"
Well, the bijuu could certainly do that. It wasn't like he blamed Naruto for being shocked. He had expected it. Hell, even the old man had! After all, he was basically just a kid again! While some people might take tremendous amount pleasure at being young again, Naruto was not one of them. Well, more technically people at Naruto's age wouldn't. After all, he had been sixteen. His whole life had just been starting. Now, it would be a totally different story had he been sixty or so. Kurama only wondered how the Uchiha would take to his changes. Probably a bit calmer than Naruto's reaction if he had to guess.
Naruto finally stood up, glaring at Kurama in the process. "Oi, how come I'm back to being a five year old brat again!?"
"Well, technically you're eight now."
One of Naruto's eyebrows twitched at the response. Did the furball really think that that made all the difference!? He was still a kid, plain and simple!
"Tch, you know what I mean! Why am I a kid again!? The Sennin didn't say anything about this!" Now that he was conscious of being a kid again, Naruto took notice of the fact that his voice sounded a lot different from what he was used to. Just how the hell had he missed that!?
Kurama could only shrug in a hopeless manner. "Don't ask me, brat. I told you: I had no control of this. This is all the old man's doing. But if I had to guess, it probably has to do with helping you set yourself in a good position in Uzu. It's a lot easier to throw suspicion off your back when you're just a kid. Not so good when you're an adult or even a teenager for that matter."
Naruto ran a tiny hand through his hair. "I see your point," he admitted reluctantly. 'Calm down,' he reminded himself. This wasn't the worst that could happen. Naruto could think of plenty of other things that were probably worst. But really, who could blame him for reacting the way that he had! Seeing yourself turn back into a little kid surely warranted some shock.
'Whatever. I'll just have to go with the flow,' he finally thought. 'Like Kurama said, the Sennin must have had his reasons for doing this. I just hope they're good ones…..'
Kurama suddenly looked up, surprise reading all over his face.
Seeing the look, Naruto could only sigh. Oh great. More problems it seemed. It was then that Naruto felt himself being forced out of his own consciousness. Of course, he fought back, not knowing what was causing it.
Taking notice of this, Kurama stepped in. "Calm down, brat. That's just your own consciousness trying to get you to wake up after that little episode you just had."
Relief flooded through Naruto. "I see. Alright then." He let the feeling work its magic.
Kurama looked at him. "Remember, brat. Play it cool. Don't draw too much suspicion to yourself. You're just a regular kid with no memories as to how he got here."
Naruto nodded. He could do that. It was all just like a prank to him. And that was one of the few things in which he was a master of.
Taking a huge gulp of air, the blond Uzumaki readied himself. It was showtime. It was now or never.
"What's going on? Is the boy alright?"
The doctor, having come back, nodded as a nurse checked all of the equipment to make sure it was working properly.
"Yes, he is," he answered to Arashi's question. They were now all inside of the hospital room with Kenji leaning against the wall next to the door, both of his arms crossed in front of his chest. "For whatever reason, his heart pressure started to increase. It's possible that the boy could have been having an extreme dream depending on the circumstances in which the boy was in before he got here."
Arashi nodded in understanding. Mental trauma, eh? Quite common a lot these days, he supposed. It also brought great sadness to him at thinking that a boy at this age suffering from mental trauma was common. Just how worse could this world get?
All activity ceased within the room as a groan escaped the young boy, shocking all the occupants.
"B-but how!" stuttered the doctor at seeing the boy starting to regain consciousness. "He shouldn't be awake for at least a few more days!"
"Lower your voice," commanded Arashi with a slight frown. "We don't want to scare the boy." 'At least, not yet…..' It all depended as to just what exactly the boy turned out to be. If he was a spy, he would be killed on the spot.
The boy's eyes fluttered open, immediately flicking all around and taking in their surrounding. Alarmed more than anything if Arashi had to deduce. So the boy wasn't expecting to be here then. That raised a point in his favor.
Kenji also took notice of this but simply let Arashi handle the situation. He was, after all, the leader.
The nurse placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, making said boy look at her. The nurse had a kind and gentle smile as she spoke, "Welcome back, young man. It's great to see you awake."
The boy simply looked at her as she handed him a glass of water which he immediately took and gulped down.
Arashi chuckled. 'Impatient one, we have here.'
The doctor leaned in to whisper to him. "Arashi-sama, what exactly do you want us to do with him now that he's awake?"
Arashi spared him a glance before focusing solely on the blond boy as the nurse gave him some instructions. "Monitor his progress for now. See if he's still in any danger. But before that, I need to speak privately with him."
The doctor immediately knew what his village leader meant by that, so he nodded. "As you wish, Arashi-sama. Emi-san."
The nurse, now identified as Emi, nodded at the doctor before sending the boy one last reassuring look as she made for the door with the doctor right in front of her. Kenji closed the door as soon as they had both left the room.
Arashi was still staring at the boy who in turn looked right back at him with the utmost curiosity. 'So, he doesn't know who I am? That's surprising.' It certainly was. Everyone knew of the Uzumaki clan. Unless the boy was just faking it. Damn, would having one of the famed Yamanaka certainly come in handy now or what? Of course, the realm of fuinjutsu also offered similar services except that it was more difficult. Then again, everything about fuinjutsu was complicated.
"Welcome, young man," spoke Arashi in the kindest tone that he could muster at the moment. "My name is Uzumaki Arashi, the current head of the Uzumaki clan. And in case you don't know, you are currently in the homeland of the Uzumaki, Uzu."
The boy merely settled for a nod, taking all of this in calmly.
Seeing as the boy wasn't going to introduce himself of his own accord, Arashi instead asked him. "What is your name, child?"
The boy didn't miss a beat. "Naruto."
Arashi raised a flabbergasted eyebrow. "Naruto? You're named after ramen?" It was a second too late, but Arashi realized just how rude that sounded. Then again, Kenji was chuckling in the background, so he wasn't the only one. That was a relief.
The boy, Naruto, looked offended. "I don't know. That's just what my name is."
Arashi nodded. "I see. And I'm sorry if that upset you. It wasn't my intention."
Naruto raised an eyebrow slightly, obviously not having expected for Arashi to apologize. "It's okay. I understand why people would get confused like that."
'This boy is not ordinary,' thought Arashi as he continued to observe him. There was just this air of maturity around him. Arashi just hoped that it wasn't for the wrong reasons.
Kenji's thoughts mirrored those of Arashi's.
"No surname?" he asked, continuing with the conversation.
Naruto was silent for a few moments before finally replying with, "I….don't know. I can't remember. At least, I don't think I have one." It wasn't a complete lie either. But better to not stress out the details. It saved people a lot of problems.
Arashi stroked his beard as he continued to look at Naruto. "I see…."
Silence then reign in within the hospital room with Naruto shuffling uncomfortably. Finally, it was broken by Naruto himself. "Umm…..are you planning on hurting me?"
The question took both Arashi and Kenji by surprise. Why would the boy ask that? While it was true that the thought had crossed Arashi's mind, that was if and only if the boy turned out to be a spy. Otherwise, he wouldn't. So why would he ask that? Had he seemed aggressive or something? Arashi honestly didn't know.
"Why would you ask that?" questioned Kenji from his spot, making Naruto turn to look at him.
Naruto shrugged. "I dunno. It just seems like it. Am I wrong?"
Arashi and Kenji shared a glance before Arashi focused back on the sitting Naruto. 'He's more observant than I thought,' thought Arashi. 'He's definitely not an ordinary boy. But just how different is he? So far, he doesn't seem like he could possibly be a spy.'
"Well then," began Arashi, "we're not going to hurt you. So you can relax, my boy. We're just here to ask you a few questions as to why you would show up the way you did."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "And which way was that?" This was most certainly not a lie. He had no idea how he had gotten here in the first place.
"My son found you washed up by the currents of the ocean at shore," answered Arashi calmly. "Not only that, but you were also not wearing any clothes. Do you mind explaining to us just how an eight year old ends up stranded here naked?"
Naruto was internally screaming in his head. How the hell had he arrived here naked!? Maybe the whole time travel thing disintegrated everything that it'd passed through that wasn't human. Then again, if his theory was right and his body was just disintegrated before placed back together the same way it had been, then his clothes could have gotten lost in the process. Not only that, but he was now an eight year old brat. In the shrinking process, they must have come off somehow. Bummer. He quite liked that new jumpsuit. Well, it most certainly wasn't new now. Naruto briefly wondered where or when it could have ended up before pushing the thought out of his mind. He had more important things do deal with.
"That's how I got here?" Naruto scratched the back of his head, confusion written all over his face. "I really don't know. I just can't remember how I ended up in that situation."
'Well, this is a problem,' thought Arashi. Someone with amnesia was certainly a problem. But it at least removed the possibility of being a spy. Then again, he could be faking it. But looking at the boy, Arashi could tell that they confusion was genuine. There was some hope, after all.
'This boy doesn't look to be a spy or anything of the sort,' thought Kenji before looking at Arashi. 'Well, old friend, what are you going to do now?' If the boy was clean, then Arashi would more than likely let him go. But the question was: where? Where would the boy stay? If he had amnesia, then there was no way that the boy could be thrusted back into the world all by himself, especially in this current time. The shinobi world was harsh right now.
"Naruto, are you certain that you can't remember anything?" asked Arashi calmly but with a serious undertone.
Naruto could only nodded. "Hai. I don't even know where Uzu is honestly! I'm just glad you found me, Uzumaki….san."
Arashi smiled slightly. It seemed as if the boy was trying to be polite but didn't have much experience with it. It reminded him a lot of Kenji. Said individual also took notice of this fact with a small grin.
Arashi took a few steps forward until he was besides Naruto's bed, kneeling next to it. "Well then, Naruto, how would you like to come live with me?"
'Oi, oi!' screamed Kenji in his head as his eyes widened. 'There's a limit to how kind you can be!' While it was true that this Naruto didn't look to be a spy or anything of the sort, the possibility couldn't be rule out one hundred percent. Not yet. 'Just what are you thinking, Arashi?'
Naruto had a similar reaction to Kenji. Both of his eyes were wide open in shock as he looked at Arashi. "Y-you want me to come live with you?"
Arashi nodded. "Yes. And not only that, but how would you like to take up the name 'Uzumaki' as well? It would certainly sound cool. 'Uzumaki Naruto,' eh? Don't you like the sound of that?"
Even though Naruto knew that that was his name and having had heard it so many times before, a sudden wave of warmth hit Naruto's heart. Even tears began to form themselves in his eyes.
Arashi smiled at seeing this. "I'm guessing that you like the idea?"
"Y-yes. I would be grateful."
Arashi patted his shoulder as he stood back up. "That's good to hear. But for right now, you should get some rest. We'll finish discussing this later."
As he finished saying this, the same nurse from before, Emi, walked inside the room with a clipboard in hand as she made some adjustments to the heart monitor and such.
Arashi made for the door with Kenji already having walked out of the room. But before completely leaving, he sent one last wave to Naruto who returned it. He then walked out, closing the door after him.
Emi smiled at him. "Arashi-sama is kind, isn't he?"
Despite himself, Naruto smiled back. "Yeah, he really is…."
Maybe things wouldn't be too bad, after all.
"Just what the hell are you thinking, Arashi!?"
"Lower your voice, Kenji. Remember that this is a hospital."
Both men were walking down the empty hallways towards the exit of the hospital that stood near the center of the village. It was currently night out with most of the staff of the hospital having had gone home a few hours earlier.
Kenji sent Arashi an impatient look. "Answer my question! Do you realize just how dangerous it is to allow this kid in your own home without fully knowing who he is!? Yes, the possibly that he's a spy is low, but it's still there!"
Arashi glanced at him. "And here I thought that you didn't want to think that way. What changed?"
"When you started putting your whole family at risk!" retorted Kenji. Both men were now standing outside of the hospital at this point, the full moon shining brightly in the night sky.
Arashi looked at the moon for a moment before turning his attention back to his agitated best friend and second in command. "Yes, I know that there's a risk in letting this boy inside my own home. However, the risk would still be there even if I let him out in the village. This way, I can keep a closer eye on him. Besides," Arashi paused for a moment, closing his eyes as he sighed before opening them and looking straight at Kenji, "when I look at him, I can't help but be reminded of Kushina. There's a possibility that this boy can perhaps have parents just as much that he could have been sent by another village. Maybe even higher. What if he really just ended here by accident? An accident at sea perhaps. No one ever knows. It's then that I think that if it were my little Kushina in that situation, I wouldn't want for her to be thrown out to the real world unprepared like that. It just wouldn't be right. So instead, I chose this method."
Kenji could only sigh as he ran a hand through his hair, chuckling in the process. "Hehehehe, you really are soft under all that tough macho exterior, aren't you? Well, when you put it that way, you make me look as the bad guy instead."
Arashi smiled as he placed a hand on Kenji's shoulder. "Don't worry about it. I also understand where you're coming from. And I'm glad that you're also thinking of the welfare of this village and my family. You would have made a great leader. Maybe even better than me."
Kenji snorted in amusement. "Please. Too much politics for me. Then again, I was still sort of dragged into it because of you."
Arashi chuckled. "What are you going to do?"
Kenji grinned before adding, "You do realize that you'll now have to convince your wife, right? And we both know how Kazumi-chan is…."
Arashi chuckled some more as he turned and continued to walk back to the mansion where the village head and his family stayed in as per tradition. "You let me worry about her."
Kenji was right behind him, shaking his head. "And that's what I'm worried about."
'That makes two of us…..'
This night was turning out to be a wonderful one alright.
Naruto sighed as he laid back on his bed, both hands behind his head as he looked up at the ceiling. It had been…..surprising to say the least, the conversation with this Arashi person. So he was the clan head, eh? It seemed like he was going to be seeing more of him.
"Good job, brat. Not exactly perfect but better than I had expected alright."
Naruto couldn't help but roll his eyes. 'Thanks for the confidence, furball. Really means a lot.'
The blond could very well make out Kurama's laughter from within his head. "Whatever, brat. I'm not here to be all sunshine and rainbows. That's too cute for my taste."
Naruto grinned at that. 'Yeah, guess you're right about that.'
A comfortable silence fell upon the two individuals, one human and the other a bijuu. Who would have thought that they would someday become pals like this? Fighting against each other, helping each other, joking around. It was as if they were pals since the beginning. And Naruto could honestly say that he quite enjoyed it. He didn't know just how he would have handled things if it weren't for Kurama. That thought made Naruto pity Sasuke. The Uzumaki could only wonder what the young Uchiha must have been going through. He only hoped that he could somehow pulled things together.
"So you're sure about going to live with the clan head?"
The question brought Naruto out of his train of thought. Finally registering the question, the blond nodded. 'Yeah. It would make things a lot easier. I don't really know anyone here and no one knows me for that matter. So my best chance of survival is with him.'
Kurama nodded within Naruto's subconscious. "You're right about that. Just don't give him or anyone else something to suspect. At least, not until the old man contacts us again."
'When will that be exactly?'
"Honestly? I don't know. When we're secured and stable I would say. But really, nothing ever goes according to plan. We'll just make do right now."
Naruto nodded, agreeing with the bijuu. 'Yeah.'
"You better get some shuteye, brat. Something tells me that tomorrow is going to be a long day."
Something else in which the blond Uzumaki agreed with the bijuu. It wasn't long before he let the darkness take him, leaving Kurama alone to think some things through.
"Are you sure about this, father? I mean, we don't even know who he is!"
It was now early morning in the prosperous land of Uzu. We currently find ourselves in the mansion of the Uzumaki clan head, more specifically his office. In front of him stood two individuals. One was a young male around the age of nineteen with short red hair and dark green eyes identical to those of Arashi. He wore the standard Uzu jonin uniform. The other was a woman who, despite being close to Arashi's age, still looked beautiful. She has long red hair which was tied in a bun as well as purple eyes which usually shined with radiance and mischief. Now, they were completely serious. She wore an elaborate kimono.
Arashi, who was currently looking at the village in front of him through his windows, sighed as he turned to speak to the male who had just said those words.
"Yes, I am, Kaito. It's for the best."
The now identified Kaito continued to protest. "But father! He's still a complete stranger! I understand that you don't want to send him off to the streets or an orphanage, but here? There has to be a better option! You can-"
"Kaito," spoke the woman with a stern voice, making said individual look at her while she continued to look directly at Arashi who looked right back at her. "You know that when your father has made up his mind, there's almost nothing that can talk him out of it. Besides, like he said, this is for the best. You should know that too."
Kaito sighed as he closed his eyes. "You're not going to reconsider, are you?"
Arashi looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Do you really not know your old man?"
Kaito released small laughs before calming himself. "What about Kushina? What are you going to tell her about this?"
A small smile formed itself on the woman's face at taking notice of this fact. 'Ah, so that's what you were really worried about.' It brought great joy to her hear seeing her older son taking care of his little sister.
Before Arashi could respond, the said redhead walked into the room, rubbing her eyes as she yawned. "What's everyone doing here?"
The woman immediately stood up as she walked towards the sleepy Kushina, picking her up with her arms. "What are you doing up so early?"
"I heard kaa-san and tou-san talking, and so I cam here," the young redhead explain as she yawned a second time.
"My little princess," said Arashi with a smile as he came around his desk to stand next to his wife, Kazumi. "I have some great news for you today!"
Now that cleared up any sleep that would have still been within the redhead. Her whole round face brightened. "Really! What is it!"
Arashi placed his hand on top of her head, rubbing it affectionately. "You'll be getting a new friend today."
Kushina exploded. "Awesome! What kind of friend is he, tou-san!"
But Kazumi looked at her husband in surprise. "He's already been released out of the hospital?"
Arashi nodded, still rubbing his daughter's head with said girl pouting at him for ignoring her. "That's right. Ryo-san gave me the okay earlier today. It seems as if the boy is already at one hundred percent. Almost as if what happened to him yesterday had never occurred. Kenji is escorting him over here right now."
"Now that is unusual," muttered Kazumi. Kaito had to agree with his mother as well. Heck, even Arashi did too. Only Kushina was left out of the loop who was still pouting at Arashi for still not answering her. Her cheeks were puffed out, trying her best to look angry. It failed miserably.
Arashi chuckled but before he could say something to calm his daughter, one of the servants knocked on the door before entering.
"What is it?" asked Arashi.
"Arashi-sama, Kenji-sama and Naruto-san have arrived. They're waiting for you at the entrance."
Arashi nodded before looking at Kazumi, offering her a smile. "Shall we?"
Kazumi rolled her eyes. It was far too late to be asking for her opinion. Still, she was interested to meet thing young boy. Who knew? Maybe he was simply a sweet little boy? But still, she wouldn't let her guard down. At least, not yet.
Kaito shared her thoughts.
With that, the Uzumaki family made for the stairs.
"Big, isn't it?"
Naruto had to admit that this Kenji person was certainly on the mark when he said 'big.' Who knew that his clan would have a mansion as big as this!
"Heh, impressed with your clan already, are you, brat?"
Naruto didn't have to answer that. They both knew the answer to that question. Now out of the hospital robe, the young blond now wore navy blue shorts, a basic blue shirt with an orange jacket over it, and blue sandals.
"Kenji, Naruto! Welcome!"
Both named individuals turned towards the top of the stairs that stood in front of them. Naruto's eyes widened as his eyes immediately spotted the familiar form of his mother next to the older woman as they descended down the stairs. But he managed to reign in his shock before anyone could notice him. Well dang. He wasn't expecting this. Not at all.
"Naruto, I would like you to meet my new family and, from now on, yours as well," stated Arashi with a smile and friendly tone. "I am Uzumaki Arashi."
The woman went next, a smile on her face as well as pure kindness radiating from her eyes which Naruto found to be extremely beautiful and almost hypnotizing. "I am Uzumaki Kazumi. It's a pleasure."
The old teenage boy followed. "I am Uzumaki Kaito. Welcome." Well, he didn't seem like a bad dude. But Naruto would refrain from judging him too quickly.
Kazumi nudged Kushina who was clinging to her foot. "Now, dear, introduce yourself."
Kushina didn't say anything for a few moments before finally screaming out, "My name is Uzumaki Kushina!"
Despite himself, a smile formed on the blond's face at hearing that.
Kazumi smiled as well as she looked at him expectantly. "Well? What is your name, dear?"
Naruto smiled widely as he pointed at himself, almost with the same enthusiasm as Kushina.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto!"
To be Continued.....