Spectral Ninja

Naruto ducked back, avoiding a swipe of Kiba's claws, only to also roll sideways as Sasuke stabbed at him at the same time from the left.



It had been three years since the start of RANK, and the weapons were now highly prized above all else and highly valuable among the 'military' section of Kohona.



Last year there had been an uproar among the Hyuuga clan.



It seemed 'that incident' in the Hyuuga home three years ago when Naruto had suspected that Hinata's father had meant something else by his statement to him, he had. It had taken two years to go through, but Hisashi had done it.



What exactly had he done?



Well he had past a law through the new council, seconded by the Third and witnessed by Tsunade and Jiriaya and enforced as the Hyuuga clan head, made it that from then on the Hyuuga clan was no longer broken into two sections.



Each Hyuuga member was equal, no matter if they were 'pure' line or born from an member and outsider. The Caged Bird Seal was to remain, but any main member using the seal to do anything with them for other than self defense was punished, the punishment depending on the level or reason. The worse level meaning death or that member received the seal themselves for the rest of their lives and the victim was allowed to evoke the seal to torture the perpetrator.



Although it would have been better to remove the Seal altogether, the clan head stated the thing was too interwoven into the bearers chakra, meaning any attempt to remove it would kill the bearer.



Any main branch member refusing to obey the new law and continually refusing or even using it was punished by being overpowered and the seal placed on them forcibly, the clan head threatening to place it on the rest of the main branch-including the Hyuuga council- if they disobeyed.



While some main branch members were delighted or willing to obey it, having wanted an end to the clan division all their lives, like Hinata and her family, others had been in an uproar over it, stating that the way they were had been so for hundreds of years, that Hiashi was messing with the workings of the clan and demanded the clan head 'step down' and his grandfather retake the position again.



But he refused and with the Third and Naruto's input gave a speech to the entire clan. He said that they were Konona ninja and family first, and clan second. That they were all related to one another in some way or other, but had been acting like masters and servants, which was NOT how a family should work.



As Kohona ninja they were ruled by their laws just like any other and had been acting like traitors to the village all this time by going by their own rules. From that moment on they were subject to the same rules as the others, meaning if they disobeyed they would be punished like anyone else.



Any who didn't like it could approach the Hokage for rights to leave, only any member wanting to leave, any member who approached the Hokage were immediately placed under arrest.



Since then there had been a few 'incidents' of those trying to act out against the new law, but they were dealt with quickly and things seemed to be settling down.



Naruto grimaced as he avoided a sudden blow from Choji's weapon, barely activating the first stage of his shift glyph to make his side intangible to the weapon, grimacing again when he felt a tickle in his side as the wood and metal passed right through him.



That was another change over the last four years. Not long after the ceremony Razeil convinced their father to train the entire group. Even though the group promised never to tell another person about what they had done that day and what had happened, both Kain and Itachi soon found out when Shikamaru, during sparing with Kiba they were supervising, accidentally discovered how to activate the glyph by an minor amount of blood from his busted lip splashing onto the cloth around his wrist and touching the seal.



It turned out is was rather like a summons for everyone but Naruto, it needed only a few drops of the wearers blood anywhere on the symbol to activate it. And not just that, if they wiped the blood across it to the left, it activated the first stage that used very small amounts of soul energy, while to the right activated the second stage, which was more powerful.



They had discovered that the soul of his friends would be able to slowly renew in power by itself over time, depending on the level. Usually about a week to a fortnight with minor use. Used once it usually only took a day or two, but took much and it took longer.



Naruto COULD transfer soul energy to them through the link, but not too much, they had weird reactions to it, anything from feeling sick to actual fevers and illness. And with Tsunade in the village with knowledge of soul energy and the like, they couldn't risk her finding out.



Shikamaru had a theory that because these souls were different to them their bodies could only handle small amounts of the foreign energy, their own soul energy and chakra couldn't mix with them very well, like oil and water, some minor amount may mix a little with the water, but the majority would float of the top.



They had discovered after that day through experimentation they had developed two forms of ability through the glyph connection, the forms that aided them or even their gekkaki genkai in battle and over the last few years together had worked to refine them and their fighting abilities.



While they learned all ninja things they needed to know at the academy, together the seven learned real fighting from Kain and sometimes Itachi. Not the honor bound weak fighting at the Academy, but the real no hesitation stuff of the real world.



Sometimes they were joined by Ino but not to often when she discovered how violent and rough the boys and one girl were during this, stating she was a girl, girls don't fight like that-except Hinata of course-who could now beat Kiba and Choji with ease.



During this fight they learned how to refine their skills gained already. They learned how to cut times at using jutsu's and hand signs, how to improve their agility, speed and strength, even maneuverability in tight spaces or limited time, as well as how to evoke their glyph and refine it's effects.



Those with bloodlines that required complicated hand signs andor great concentration learned it was possible to do it without, or even cut the time in half.



When Itachi joined in they learned defense against both bladed weapons and someone more skilled than them, they learned how to control their movements precisely, how exact control over ones movements during a fight can be the difference between lasting during battle or exhausting their chakra and energy too early.



Kiba became dangerous on the field. Instead of the wild way of fighting his clan did and he had also done up until the ceremony, he became more calm and controlled, which looked scary to anyone else, having an wild animal-like nin eying you calmly across the field, it made you think he was holding back on you. Like he had some big secret attack he was holding back and he was only playing with you.



Consequently the seven had become the best in their class, along with the increased intelligence through Shikamaru they even found the theory part of class easy, listening with 'half an ear' as they talked.



Even their sensei-Iruka Unimo-couldn't say anything about them doing so when they could immediately quote what he just said back to him.



There was an ulterior motive for today's training. To keep Kain out of their apartment building. He couldn't see what was going on there, how Anko, Ino and the other tenants were decorating the common room in red, black and silver streamers and balloons, setting up party food and various presents from tenants and ninja alike, including the other five ten years olds and Naruto and Hinata's.



The reason the party was secret was because Kain had once told Naruto he didn't DO parties, he didn't see the point after hundreds or thousands of years.



But today was a special day. One one hand it was the anniversary of the day Naruto had found him and the Soul Reaver had crumbed, trapping Razeil inside instead of the sword.



On the other it was the day they had decided was to be Kain's birthday.



Naruto had finally finished the sword he had been working on for the last five years for him, had finally perfected the power in it with the help of others. He himself had use the remains of the original, Anko-who had stolen a blood sample from his father out of the Sanin woman's very office, Razeil who had given him the piece of his fathers soul that the vampire had used to resurrect him as a vampire (no longer needed now he was linked to Naruto and the demon fox). Ibiki who had 'borrowed' Kain's iron sword-supposedly for examination. Kyuubi who had shown him how to combine all the ingredients he had together so he could finally finish creating his present.



And Naruto wanted so bad to see his fathers reaction to the present, to see if he loved it or it stirred up bad memories.



Niisan and Neesan assured him that not only would he love it, but be grateful he had it back in his hands again in its.....proper form.



Naruto wanted to go NOW, he was an normal impatient ten year old, but he had to wait for the signal the others were ready.



Trying to concentrate on what he was doing instead Naruto jumped backwards on powerful legs to avoid the mass of bodies that had been his friends and sparring partners, getting himself out into the open so he could move more freely again.



It took at least another two hours before Naruto caught something light green from the corner of his eye, turning his head just enough to spy an lime green snake wrapped around a tree branch nearby, watching them.



When it saw it had his attention the creature bobbed its head briefly then puffed away.



Relieved he gave the others their silent signal.



Immediately the group stopped, flopping around the training grounds in various spread out places, looking tired and out of breathe, some of them panting where they lay.



Naruto made a show of checking out the time "maybe we should have lunch and do some studying now guys" when the others nodded in agreement he went on "why don't you guys come to our place so we can study together?" he looked up at the Uchiha older like he suspected they were up to something "why don't you come too, 'Tachi?"



He cocked his head at them "why?"



"Because you know all about this stuff already. If we get stuck, you can help us." The youngest ANBU ever looked at them steadily for a few long seconds, looking for an ulterior motives then nodded his acceptance of the invitation.



The group soon moved off towards the apartment block, the five moving off to get their books as they passed their clan grounds.





Soon they reached the apartment block, Naruto only able to stay outwardly calm and in control thanks to Kyuubi and Razeil's help.



As they entered the elevator, Naruto pressed the floor number for the common floor. Itachi frowned at him "I thought we were going to your apartment?"



"We were but Yuna-chan said she'd meet us there with lunch, then I figure we'd stay there to study. It would give us a lot more room to spread out."



"Then I'll leave you..." Kain started as the doors slid open, but Naruto seized his arm "come on chichi."



They headed down the short hall, Naruto somehow maneuvering the last vampire in front of him as they rounded the corner and....."SURPRISE!"



In the common room was the inhabitants of the apartment block, Anko, Ibiki, The Third, Jiriaya and Tsunade, and even the Hyuuga clan head and his wife.



Kain stopped short, barely keeping himself from going on the defensive before he realized what was happening. "Naruto?" Kain frowned, looking at his adopted son.



"I know you don't see the point in birthday parties, dad, but the guys wanted to celebrate. We're family, pack, a clan and others are close to us. Parties aren't just for the one who the celebration is for, it's for others to celebrate the life of that person."



Kain looked slightly surprised at this "that's pretty deep for a ten year old."



Naruto grinned "that's what neesan told me."



Kain looked at him long and silently for a few seconds and then slowly nodded "alright Naruto, I will do the party, if it's your wish."



"Thank you chichi" Naruto nodded.



The vampire walked forward into the crowd.



An hour later the party was in full swing, people talking, eating and laughing. Anko looked beautiful in her pale yellow kimono with a dark blue obi, he hair-which she had grown over the last year or so especially for Kain, shone and was black and had an vibrant blue highlights.



Although neither one would say it, Naruto knew she had gone from a ball-busting bitch to more of a woman around Kain overs the last few years because she secretly wanted to impress him, to attract him.



Part of her entire 'snake-woman', 'cruel bitch' was a front, an disguise to keep others at bay from her to protect herself from future heartache after her last love and sensai hurt her so badly and used her, no

one would try and get close to her that way.



But his father knew all about protecting his heart and wouldn't accept the shield she built around herself and had slowly broken it down, revealing the sexy and beautiful woman underneath.



The three's relationship was strange with each other. Between Anko and Kain it was a weird father-daughterhusband-wifelover-loverkindred spirits, going from one extreme to the other at any possible moment. One minute they were cozy like lovers, then Kain was treating her like and headstrong child.



But whatever, it seemed to work for them, at least for now. And one of their similarities seemed to have become an blood fetish.



As for her relationship with Naruto, when she wasn't freaking him out it was almost brother-older sister.



Freaking him out seemed to be her favorite pass time.



But he appreciated it, it made him feel.....normal. He had an 'family member' willing to tease and stir him up.



Right now, talking and laughing with The Third and Yuna-chan (FYI guys-the elderly woman who makes Naruto's meals and has the disabled husband in case you didn't guess) she looked like a normal human woman.



Naruto hid his grin when he saw the flirty looks she kept sending his father, who was conversing with Ibiki and Itachi.



Two hours later when everyone was suitably feed and relaxed, it was the time Naruto had been waiting for, the presents.



He watched his father open everyone else's with barely any interest enough to see what they were, noting things like the uniform of an ANBU, only adjusted, so it covered his entire body protectively from the sun-with an wolf-faced mask and hood, an heavy-looking set of red robes, no, wait, it was an set of ninja-mesh in red that covered his fathers body, sleeves and a long bottom, matching pants to go underneath and an deep hood to hide his head.



Others gave knives and senbon and other things he could hide under the clothes. Naruto grinned, his father wasn't ninja, he didn't hide his weapons, they were out in the open for all to see.



Anko gave him something more practical. She had persuaded the Snake summon lord, Manda, to allow Kain to sign the contract and even though Kain didn't have human chakra like the ninjas, the head snake seemed to like Kain, unlike a certain snake-like missing-nin and stated he wouldn't need to summon him or his children the same way.



Instead he could do it like one of his spells.



This lead to many discussions on the subject to be revealed that the original vampires created the summons contracts between the various races and that while the race had had only to originally sign the contract and wish the summon to appear, when the contracts came into human hands after the race died outwere killedkilled themselves, humans didn't have the abilities to use spells etc, so had to develop the means through chakra and hand signs.



This bit of information fascinated both Ibiki and The Third, leading to much discussion about what else the vampires created that they used, that Kain may be able to use as well.



Naruto found it funny though, apparently ONE summons remembered the original vampires and despite the fact that Kain was just an human vampire, not original, it spent the rest of the day and following night either wrapped around Kains' shoulders-watching everyone carefully for signs of threat to it's new master, or following behind him.



It's name was Kamu (Bite), not very original, and even though it usually didn't go into battle, it's teeth were extremely poisonous and it was the oldest and most knowledgeable of it's kind, giving them lots of information about the original vampires from its point of veiw as well as the possible location of a few more 'moon temple' spells Kain could gain that he had missed during his trek to conquer Nosgoth.



Naruto may be slightly scared of snakes-an thing Anko had used when she wanted to freak him out-but he liked Kamu, the snake seemed to be fixated on him as much as Kain, often sitting draped over his shoulders or tugging his hair with his careful fangs or the flexible end of his tail, making him giggle at its playfulness with him.



He'd never had a summons before, ero-sanin had told him when he was older he'd let him sign his real fathers contract-the toad-but not until he finished his current training and learned to master sage energy.



Various other gifts were given until it came to the last two, Naruto and the six's joint one. Since they went together, Naruto went first, shyly stepping forward and handing up the large cloth-wrapped item, shyly saying "happy birthday, chichi. I hope you like it" Kamu using the momentary connection to slither up Naruto's arm, along the thick bundle, up Kains' arm and to perch around his shoulders again and watch.



The minute Kain touched the bundle he felt a connection to it, a sense of familiarity, like it not only held a part of him, but he had used it before. He looked at his son "is this....? Did you.....?!"



Naruto smiled "look."



Slowly the last vampire unwrapped the weapon to reveal.......



An sword, but not just any sword, one with an strange blade and cross-guard. The blade was an silverwhite color, the actual shape an wave in an familiar twist. However instead of an skull on the cross guard it was normal.



Kain looked at him curiously, but before he could speak another did, a female voice sucked in a sharp breath and asked "is that.....?"



"Not completely yet" Naruto looked at everyone around them "back up as far as you can" when they obeyed he looked at his father "I need you to do one more thing to complete it, chichi."



He looked at his son "what is it?"



"I need you to concentrate on the blade and push a blood gout spell into it. It won't be complete without it."



"Blood Gout?!" the vampire looked at him "but isn't it...?"



Naruto grinned "no, this is the original, or as close to the original that can be made without the magic of their creators."



Kain understood, locked his yellow eyes to the blade and blocking everything else out. Calling on the spell, he forced it into the blade. It started to glow, growing warm in the vampires 'hands', growing to an fierce red for a few long seconds before settling down and returning to normal.



"It's slightly different due to your new life, chichi" Naruto answered "to symbolize the change and new chance, but still be something you're used to."



He then grinned at the others as Kain raised the sword, blinking in surprise as the other six kids handed him an scabbard for the new weapon, the six grinning in excitement at his look.



"Everyone, this is father's new sword, The Blood Reaver!"



KNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKNKKNKN



This chapter is short due to it is to only explain some later stuff.



Any person who can think of a name of Narutos' ability to see souls in the material realm will be given credit for it. I already had PureSoulEyes, but he sees ALL souls, not just the pure ones.