Our Progeny

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Warning: This fic will eventually contain shonen ai and possibly yaoi. A bit of gore in this chapter as well. SasuNaru NaruSasu Past SasuOC (barely mentioned) There is also one major OC and a few minor OCs in the future.

Future chapters will come about once a week as long as I can keep them going.

Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. Flames will be ignored.

“Dialogue”
‘Thoughts’
Flashback
---.---: break/ time lapse
oooOooo: Scene change

Our Progeny

Summary: Set 5 years in the future. Naruto comes across a young boy while on a mission and takes him in. Who is this boy and what does he have to do with Naruto and Sasuke?

---.---

The next day Naruto and Yahiko stopped at a stream to clean up. There was still a bit of blood on Yahiko’s clothes from the Mist Nin and he was covered in dirt anyway. Naruto on the other hand was all sweaty from the last few days. His Kyuubi armor protected him from the blood splatter of his enemies, but he needed a bath as well.

While washing up, Naruto was finally able to get a good look at his young companion. Yahiko had medium length raven black hair, but when the light caught it a certain way, you could see a few very dark blue highlights. His eyes were an extremely bright blue, and although his build was skinny, he still had a little baby fat left on his face. There was an air of innocence about him, but there was an underlying sadness and maturity lying underneath the surface. Naruto might not have been able to see it if he hadn’t grown up with those same feelings. Yahiko’s skin was pale, but there were a few hints that he might actually be able to tan after a little time in the sun.

When the boy turned around, Naruto was saddened but not surprised to see a long dark scar across Yahiko’s back right below his shoulder blades. There were lighter faded scars on the boy’s body as well. Naruto was curious, but he didn’t want to press Yahiko too quickly.

‘Hopefully he’ll trust me enough to tell me about them soon.’ thought Naruto, ‘but if it takes him some time, I don’t really mind. I’m not eager to reveal my secrets any time soon either.’

Yahiko observed Naruto in the stream as well. Naruto had sun-kissed blond hair with red highlights randomly situated here and there. He was around six feet tall with a wrestler’s build, tan skin, and there was the faintest hint of three whisker-like scars on each of his cheeks. Whenever Naruto smiled Yahiko noticed that his canines were just barely longer and sharper than normal, and Yahiko also remembered that when Naruto saved him, the scars on his face widened and his canines and nails lengthened and sharpened. Even though Naruto’s power had saved his life, Yahiko was still scared by it. Power was dangerous.

‘Father… I mean that man said that power was used over the weak because they could do nothing about it. Naruto has so much power, and I’m so weak…’

After they finished dressing, Naruto evaluated the condition of Yahiko’s clothes. They were in horrible condition and the kid had no extra outfits because the only things he had brought with him were the clothes on his back and the box.

“Alright, tomorrow we’re going to be coming across a Konoha allied village called Storm’s Edge.” Naruto stated, “We’re going to need to buy you equipment for our journey since it might take us a few days to get back home.”

They spent the rest of the day walking towards the village. Neither of them spoke, but Naruto noticed that Yahiko would occasionally glance at him with something like hope in his eyes.

oooOooo

His time with the snake-nin had been well spent- Orochimaru was strong and he had much to teach his new protégé. The discovery however, had been made thirteen months into training and had actually come from one of the snakes Sasuke had learned to summon. Manda was still extremely pissed off at Orochimaru and told one of his offspring to reveal the Sannin’s plan. Sasuke continued to learn, but began plotting to escape and/or how to kill the Snake. He trained like a man possessed and was able to find another level of dedication when he heard that Naruto was training under Jiraiya.

It wasn’t enough.

Eighteen months after living in the Hidden Sound Village, Sasuke met Danah. She had bright blue hair and the second-bluest eyes Sasuke had ever seen. She liked ramen, and was always ready to pull a prank. He fell in love with her by the end of the second month they met and three weeks after they started going out, Danah told him that she was pregnant. He proposed to her four days later.

‘Eight months later, HE came. He stole my family from me for the second time in my life. My young son was never born, and I was never able to even bury Danah properly.’

---.---

‘One day when I was training with Orochimaru, the general alarm went off. The Snake ordered me to my room. He obviously didn’t want his future vessel in any danger. When I arrived at our apartment, I immediately knew that something was wrong. Danah didn’t come and greet me at the door and I could smell blood in the air. Itachi had left me a gift. A letter and… something else.’

---.---

Dear Brother.

You must learn to hate me even more. I am afraid that this love you have is making you weak. The will to protect others is a character flaw, and unbecoming of a shinobi. I’ve decided that you need help, and it is I that will give it to you.

You can attempt to follow me and save your woman, but you will fail. Remember brother: You will only defeat me if you hate me more than anything else in existence.

Itachi

PS I left you a little gift to help you remember what you have lost.

---.---

Sasuke then saw where the smell of blood was coming from. Danah’s ring finger was lying on the windowsill where Itachi had escaped. The Uchiha family matrimonial ring was still attached to it. Sasuke’s first reaction was to almost puke. He’d seen much death in his life, but Danah was different. She was innocent, and he loved her. Immediately afterwards the only emotion he felt was anger. His eyes flashed with the Sharingan and he flew out of the window.

He escaped from the Sound compound and began to frantically search for his fiancé. He was always so close… so close but one step behind Itachi. Three weeks of this cat and mouse game passed until he finally found her.

He can still remember the events perfectly.

‘I kicked the apartment door open, my senses on high alert. I couldn’t sense Itachi’s chakra, but you could never be too careful with him. My eyes darted around the room, memorizing and analyzing my surroundings. It was a small one room apartment and lying on the kitchen table was another note. It was the first one he had written since the start of this fiasco.’

---.---

Dear brother,

The chase is over. I just want you to know that your woman didn’t die easily. It is amazing what one can do with a series of minor fire and ice jutsus. You won’t find me again until your hate grows and your strength multiplies.

Itachi

PS Check the freezer.

---.---

The only thing inside the freezer was a 1.5 ft tall block of ice. Danah’s head was suspended in the middle of the block, and there was a look of horror and immense pain on her face. There were burn marks on her neck instead of a clean cut. Itachi must have burned her slowly and then froze the burned areas. It could have taken her hours or days to die. His son must have died near the beginning of the torture.

---.---

This was why he couldn’t go back to Konoha. Why he went back to Orochimaru instead. As long as Itachi was alive, anyone he cared about was in danger. The rookie nine, Iruka, Kakashi, Sakura, and Naruto were all in danger.

‘Especially Naruto. If Itachi ever found out… that’s why I can’t go back yet.’

A bird chirped in the forest, and Sasuke was knocked out of his melancholy reverie. He had been unconsciously fingering the Uchiha ring. He stopped, put the ring away and focused. The hunt for Itachi continued.

oooOooo

As soon as Naruto and Yahiko arrived at Storm’s Edge, they went to the shopping district to buy Yahiko some equipment. After buying him some standard clothes and a bedroll, they went to the local ninja shop.

“Hey kid, do you know anything about ninjas?” asked Naruto.

Yahiko looked up from the shuriken he was examining through a glass display case.

“I know that they’re powerful and that you’re a really strong one,” he said.
“Heh heh. Well, I’m going to become the greatest Hokage in the history of Konoha. But that’s not the point. I think that you have the ability to become a ninja. You move fast enough to become one, and it looks like you’re familiar with a bit of our equipment.”

Yahiko stiffened at Naruto’s last remark. Sensing this, Naruto decided to back off a little.

“You know, I could train you a bit… if you want.”
“Really?”

Yahiko’s eyes perked up but then narrowed in suspicion.

“Why are you helping me? No one’s ever helped me before.”
“Ummm…”

Naruto moved his hands behind his head and rubbed his hair a bit nervously.

“What do you really want?” accused Yahiko as he shrank away from Naruto.
“Why should I trust you?”

Yahiko’s eyes shifted from side to side as if looking for an escape route.

Naruto realized what was happening and immediately banished his own doubt and feelings of vulnerability.

“Because you remind me of me!” the man exclaimed as tears fell from his face. “I grew up alone, without anyone. I… I would have given anything to have someone help me. I know it’s hard to trust people. I understand what it’s like. I’m going to buy you the things you’ll need to become a ninja. If you don’t want to trust me then you can walk away. I… I’ll understand but please… please stay.”


Naruto wiped his eyes and left to buy Yahiko some standard ninja gear: a kunai holster, shuriken containers, extra kunai and shuriken, and a few training outfits. When he returned he was relieved to find Yahiko right where he left him.

The boy was staring at the ground, crying. Naruto walked up and lifted Yahiko’s chin to make eye contact. Yahiko’s face lit up and he wrapped his arms around Naruto in a hug. Naruto draped an arm over Yahiko and squeezed back. After a few moments, a growl broke the silence.

“You hungry?” Naruto asked.

Yahiko nodded.

“Have you ever eaten ramen?”
“No.”
“Lets go get some then. You have no idea what you’re missing.”

After much ceremony and many ramen endorsements, Yahiko finally tasted Naruto’s favorite food. He did like it and when Naruto and Yahiko finished eating (eight and two bowls respectively) they set out once more for Konoha.

---.---

Naruto had decided to start Yahiko’s physical training during the journey to Konoha. They worked on balance and stamina by running along the tops of the trees. Yahiko’s natural speed helped him here; it allowed him to compensate for his lack of chakra knowledge. Naruto however was always there to offer pointers and steady Yahiko whenever he was about to slip. It was gestures like these that helped Yahiko decide that he could trust Naruto.

‘It’s the smiles he gives me whenever our eyes lock. Or the times he’s there to keep me from breaking my neck after I miss my footing. Then there was the time he helped me with the cuts on my side from that thorny tree branch.’

---.---

“You know kid; you have to be careful about stray branches in your way. A ninja must always see underneath the underneath. One of the meanings of this is you have to be aware of your surroundings.”
“What are the other meanings Sensei?
Naruto smiled and replied, “You’re going to have to discover the answers to that for yourself. And don’t call me sensei. It makes me feel old. Just call me Naruto.”

---.---

After that, Naruto had carefully tended to each of his cuts, and gave his shoulder a friendly squeeze.

‘I guess it’s those actions that I treasure the most: the little physical gestures that show he cares for me. Father was always so cold. To me and to everyone. Nothing I ever did was good enough for him. If I hurt myself, he never helped me. And his punishments…’ Yahiko shuddered, ‘I’m glad he’s gone. If he hadn’t of abandoned me, I never would have met Naruto.’

---.---

Naruto stopped to make camp a little early that day. He could see that Yahiko was tired because of the training they had done.

‘Yahiko has been quiet ever since we started traveling again.’ Naruto thought, ‘I wonder what he’s thinking about? Maybe if I open up to him he’ll decide to talk to me.

After a quick stealth lesson while hunting rabbits, the two companions settled down while their stew cooked.

‘Now’s as good a time as any,’ Naruto thought.
“Hey kid, how old are you?”
“I’m not sure,” Yahiko stated. “What’s the date? I could only tell seasons while living alone.”
“It’s… ummm, I’m actually not sure. Some time in the middle of April though.”
“Well, I’m turning five on May 7th. Why do you want to know?”
“Just curious,” Naruto shrugged. “How long have you been on your own?”
Yahiko paused for a bit after this question, “Since… I was three and a half. My… father abandoned me at the village you found me in. He was a ninja like you.”
‘Interesting,’ thought Naruto. “What about your mother?”
“I… never knew her.”

Yahiko subconsciously grabbed a hold of his box.

“She died when she gave birth to me.”
“Oh… Well, I never knew my parents either. I’ve been an orphan my entire life. In fact, if it hadn’t of been for the kindness of the Sandaime: the third Hokage, I would have lived on the streets also.”

Naruto paused for a bit.

“Listen Yahiko… there’s something I need to tell you about my past. You might not like it much, but we’re going to arrive at Konoha tomorrow and you deserve to know.”

Naruto took a deep breath to summon the courage to tell Yahiko about his life.

“Twenty years ago, the Kyuubi, a nine-tailed demon fox attacked my village. Many lives were lost and it was extremely hard to injure, let alone kill. Finally, the Yondaime used a forbidden jutsu to seal the demon within a child. I was that child. I was shunned all my life, and it’s taken me years to gain the respect of the ninja community. The villagers have some respect for me because of my achievements, but they still distrust me. A few of them outright hate me. I… I hope that this doesn’t make you lose trust in me, but I understand if it does.”

Yahiko froze in shock and fear.

‘Father mentioned the Kyuubi vessel a few times. He wants the Kyuubi’s power. He’s going to be back. I’m not free from him. I’ll never be free from him.’

Naruto had observed the fear in Yahiko’s eyes and retreated to his bedroll. It pained him to think that the relationship that they’d built up over the last few days was now broken.

‘I really care for him and I hoped that maybe I would be able to look after him in Konoha. He’s not going to want me anywhere near him now.’ *sigh* ‘Well, he’ll be rid of me tomorrow. I’ll give him to baa-chan and she can set him up with a guardian.’

After recovering from his shock, Yahiko noticed that Naruto had disappeared.

‘He probably thinks I hate him or that I’m afraid of him. I’d better go in and tell him that nothing has changed. He’s still my guardian angel.’

Yahiko burst into their tent and saw that Naruto was “asleep”.

‘He must be trying to avoid talking to me. I’m going to talk to him and explain how I feel.’

“Naruto, I know you think that I hate you right now, but I don’t. It’s just that, HE used to talk about the Kyuubi occasionally. He’s going to come for you soon, and I was afraid because that means I’m going to see him again.”

Naruto sat up and looked at Yahiko with a mixture of relief and curiosity.

“Who?”

Yahiko responded to the question with a hard hug. “I don’t want to talk about him anymore. I don’t like talking about him.”

Naruto smiled and ruffled Yahiko’s hair.

“OK kid. Let’s go eat our stew and go to sleep. It’s late and we’re waking up early tomorrow.”

‘Don’t worry kid.’ Naruto added to himself, ‘I’ll protect you with my life. No one will harm you while I’m around.’

Some time in the middle of the night Yahiko rolled over and snuggled up to Naruto. Naruto draped an arm protectively over Yahiko, and they stayed in that position until the morning.

---.---

Naruto was the first to wake up the next morning and carefully got up to prepare breakfast. As soon as it was cooking, he returned to the tent to wake Yahiko. Yahiko woke up with a little difficulty and they ate and prepared to leave.

‘Yahiko is definitely not a morning person,’ Naruto observed to himself. ‘His hair is all messy and he’s acting pretty grumpy.’

“Come on kid. If we leave now we’ll get to Konoha in 5 hours.

Yahiko’s only reply was a grunt, “Hn.”

“Hahahahaha,” Naruto laughed. He was totally unfazed by Yahiko’s death glare. He’d grown up with Sasuke after all.

oooOooo

The guards at the gate didn’t give Naruto much trouble, even though he brought a guest without travel papers. Especially since Shikamaru was on supervisor duty. After the guards were able to snap him out of his daydreaming (Naruto suggested they yell “INO” and “TEMARI” dangerously) he took one look at what the “problem” was and just waved them through.

“It’s far too troublesome to listen to you explain,” he drawled. “Just go to Tsunade-sama and explain it to her.”
“Thanks Shikamaru,” Naruto replied, “I’ll go see her now.”
Yahiko was strangely quiet through the entire confrontation.

Naruto went straight to the Hokage Tower and casually strolled into Tsunade’s office.

“Baa-chan, I completed my mission. Here’s my mission report.”
“Naruto!” Tsunade yelled, “Where the hell were you? You’re 2 days late!”
“Well… heh,” Naruto scratched the back of his head nervously, “I kinda came across a… complication. Let me introduce you to Yahiko.”

Naruto moved aside to allow Tsunade to look at the boy, who was currently glaring at her.

‘Who the hell does this woman think she is?’ Yahiko seethed, ‘Naruto doesn’t deserve to get yelled at.’

“Tsunade baa-chan, Yahiko. Yahiko, Tsunade baa-chan. She also happens to be the Hokage.”

When Yahiko found out who she was, he moved closer to Naruto and grabbed for his hand.

“What’s up with the mini brat?” She asked.
“He’s a former street urchin from a village in the lightning country,” Naruto stated, “I saved him from a bunch of missing nin and decided to bring him to Konoha. I want you to grant him Konoha citizenship. He’s going to be living with me.”
“Why should I do that?” she shot back.
“Because he has no where else to go!” Naruto argued passionately, “He’s all alone in the world with no one to care for him. Someone needs to help him!”

Naruto’s eyes had always been windows to his soul and this instant was no different. Tsunade saw the pleading within them.

‘He must see himself in the boy,’ Tsunade thought. ‘It doesn’t seem like he’s doing this without thinking about the consequences, and it looks like he really wants guardianship over the boy.’

“OK,” she stated, “I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

The squeezing on Naruto’s hand let up slightly, but Yahiko still refused to say a word.

“Thanks baa-chan. Don’t worry, I can handle the responsibility.”

After his response, Naruto left as quickly as possible. He didn’t want Tsunade to suddenly change her mind.

Outside of the Hokage Tower, both Tsunade and Naruto had the same thought:

‘I wonder what the others are going to think?’

TBC

Next time: The shinobi and the villagers’ reaction to Yahiko, more Sasuke and further information about Yahiko’s past.