Taken

Taken

Written By – Assassin’s Kiss and Lady Laran

Assassin Kiss's A/N: I would first like to say thank you to Lady Laran for agreeing to co-author this story with me. I loved her writing style and like the useful input she gave to some of my stories. Second I would like to thank my faithful readers who have read and commented my story whether they came late in the game or was there from the very first chapter. This is my first time co-writing with anyone but I thought it would be an interesting venture and it was. So I hope that my readers enjoy reading this just as much as I enjoyed co-writing it.

Lady Laran’s Author’s Note – I was surprised and honored when I received a review from Assassin’s Kiss on my Naruto story “May It Be.” She asked if I would be willing to co-author a story with her, and I responded back that I would be more than willing to talk to her about it and see. I have read her work and enjoyed it a great deal. So, after spending some time talking and getting to know each other, she brought up an image that she pictured in her mind and I got bit by a plot wombat. I think we spent hours brainstorming this story before anything was even written. To be honest, I believe we have a great story evolving and it is my hope that everyone enjoys it. I know I’m having a wonderful time working with Assassin’s Kiss on it!

Disclaimer – Neither Assassin’s Kiss nor myself owns Naruto. That honor is taken by Masashi Kishimoto. The only thing we own is the story idea.

Prologue


The Elemental Countries has long held traditions and histories that predate the establishment of the Hidden Villages. Now some would argue with that but not the Noble Clans. No, they would defend that fact simply because they know and respect the truth.

The truth is that demons have intermixed with humans, shaping the history of the Countries and forming what would later be known as the Noble Clans of the Hidden Villages, creating the precious bloodline traits that are so honored by the others within these Villages.

Just ask any historian worth their salt and they would grudgingly admit the truth if there was anyone willing enough to listen to it. But as of late people don't want to hear the truth, they think they can simply find it just by seeing it for themselves. That these mystical beings, these demons are chaos incarnate and should do well not to mix blood with the likes of humans.

In truth, where there was once was a solid alliance between the two long before the humans created the system they now rely on, only the Noble Clans would interact with the reclusive beings. Materials of the finest silks, tapestries with the smallest and most elegant stitches, sweet honey, and other wonderful items were traded only to the Nobles because the non-bloodline shinobi and villagers refused to acknowledge the demonic traders.

They nursed their animosity towards the demons, letting it grow and fester until the fear that the demons may contaminate them just by breathing the same air as them or even touching the same thing as them drives them to violence and the shunning of others not like them. That was why the villagers created certain rules to be obeyed and carry out to keep the peace throughout the Elemental Countries

The Noble Clans set their own guidelines, keeping the truth behind their bloodlines secret to any outsiders and protected the demons as best they could. Demons did not live in Konoha or any other Hidden Village nor did they interact with any of the shinobi until one fateful day a powerful ninja was given a scouting mission, a mission that would change the village forever.

And who, may you ask, is this unwittingly brave ninja who was destined to change the world as we know it? Have you by chance heard of the man called Namikaze Minato? No? Well, you must not be a native of this country if you have not heard of him or at least his alias 'The Yellow Flash.’

Namikaze, teacher to another legend, taught by one of the Legendary Sannin, was feared and respected by many. In truth, it is told he was a specter of terror during the war with Rock.

His way of killing was truly beautiful if you were lucky enough to catch the movements with your naked eyes. It left his comrades reeling in awe each at the way their fellow ninja would seem to disappear from their side in a blink of an eye only to leave a bloody path of destruction in its wake, carving the path of where he had been and where he was going.

It was both his skill in battle and his warm hearted nature that won the hearts of the people in the village he loved. His ambition and goal in life was to protect those he considered his most precious and rarely did he fail a mission. To hear tell, the most dangerous one he faced was not during any war. No, this one was during a routine scouting mission along the border of Fire Country.

Minato had been scouting the border for nearly two hours now, a yellow blur that would barely alight on a tree's branch before leaping off to the next one barely disturbing a robin's nest or a squirrel trying to hoard its nuts. His cerulean orbs were unable to pinpoint anything out of place as of yet, so he allowed himself to continue his search on the ground at a more leisurely pace. But just as he came into sight of a bubbling little stream and thought to slack his thirst, it happened. His mind barely had time to think as he instinctively flipped backwards and out of harm’s way, kunai appearing in his once empty hands as he scanned the area before looking at the place where he had once been standing.

A large fox of the deepest hue of red now stood before him, snarling as tails whipped wildly in the air. Power coiled around this being, warning the shinobi that this was not something to be taken lightly.

It would be naive for Minato to think it anything 'but' a normal fox as he tried to figure out how he could have possibly offended this majestic creature. His well trained body moved without needed persuasion into a fighting stance, muscles tensed and prepared to do battle if the fox turned deaf ears to his coming words. "What did I do to offend you, fox?" he said clearly enough for the demon.

"You have trespassed onto the territory which belongs to the Kitsune Clan. Leave now, mortal, or forfeit your existence."

The fox was going to take no chances here. Several of the vixens within the territory had recently given birth to kits, and it was her job as the leader of the Clan to ensure the safety of everyone.

"My apologies, of course, but there is no record of a kitsune colony on any shinobi map that I have seen. I was ordered to scout this area, among others, to the satisfaction of my Hokage. At least allow me to look at the borders of your territory so that I can record the information and inform the Sandaime of my discovery," Minato tried to reason, eyes never leaving the unpredictable creature.

The kitsune growled, tails still thrashing.

"Why should I trust you, human?"

A small smile couldn't help but play across the shinobi's lips as he reasoned that she did have him there but he still had to say something.

"Because I give you my word as a shinobi of Konoha that no harm will come from my exploration. You may be in the right to not trust me but in what way can I prove my good intentions? Are you going to shadow my every step to make sure I don't step pass a boundary that I can't even see?" he asked slightly amused though his eyes remained serious and alert.

"And why should I not, mortal? Your kind have threatened to kill us before. Why would I trust you to wander and not disturb our dens?"

Her voice was still a low growl, wariness in her stance.

"Should I put my weapon away to show I mean no harm? I'll do it right now," Minato said nonchalantly even as he tucked his kunai into his holster.

"I would even offer to give you my vest, with every weapon in it, to prove myself trustworthy to you but then again, how do I know that I can trust that you won't attack me again? I have not been living on this earth for so long to be labeled as a fool,"
Minato quipped even as he offered the fox a good-natured grin.

"But if you want to chaperone me and hold my hand as I explore you can. All I ask of you is to allow me to record my findings so that no one will be foolish enough to stumble across this area again," he explained calmly even as he lifted his hands to show there were no weapons.

Kyuubi thought for a long moment. The human was trying to be reasonable, and she knew she would have to be the same. There was only one thing the kitsune knew of that would protect her clan.

"You will swear a blood oath that you will not disclose the locations of our dens should you find them, mortal. Break this oath and I will kill you and your village."

Minato couldn't help a nervous chuckle as he rubbed the back of his head. "Not even to the Hokage, my leader? Surely you would let me inform him so that we can keep a wide berth of this area. If only him I will be more than willing to swear a blood oath and make sure the Sandaime's village would be in harm’s way if it should ever be broken," he promised hoping that she'd allow that much.

"I cannot trust him unless he gave an oath in front of me to bind him, you, and your village."

The kitsune watched him, evaluating him as her words reached him.

The blonde could surely understand her reasoning, but he also knew that the Hokage was a busy person. He couldn't help but look slightly worried as he tried to find a solution to his dilemma and chose the less of two evils.

"Then let me come back again tomorrow or even the day after with him in tow. If it involves a matter that can greatly affect his village then surely he will come and swear," he tried to persuade both himself and the fox because to be honest he wasn't quite sure. Would the Council allow him to take the Hokage away without any proper guard just to swear an oath to a human? Well he guessed there was only one way of finding out for sure.

"If you will swear, your village will be bound, even your leader. That I would hold acceptable."

She could see he was trying to meet her needs as well as his village's, and she would bend slightly to help.

A smile eased once more onto Minato's lips as he looked at the fox in relief. "I will swear even if I have to come here every day or so to make sure that my promise is enforced," the blonde said sincerely before taking a hesitant step forward, unsure if they should shake on it or what.

The kitsune was surrounded by a soft golden glow, and a lithe female humanoid form was revealed. Gold eyes shimmered as she moved forward, kitsune ears twitching to catch either noise.

"Use your blade, cut across your hand and let the blood flow onto the ground. As it falls, swear that you will never reveal any of the Kitsune Clan secrets you may find."

Minato nodded and slowly took out his kunai again before slicing his open palm with barely a wince. He waited until his blood began to ooze to the surface before he closed his hand into a fist and squeezed the drops down until eight crimson drops managed to fall down onto the ground below while the last stubborn bit clung and branched down his wrist and forearm. He lifted his eyes from his fist to the kitsune, his kind eyes hard and serious as he opened his mouth to speak. "I, Namikaze Minato, promise to never reveal 'any' of the Kitsune Clan secrets that I may find. And if, for some reason, I err in judgment and do so, may I and my village be wiped out without a single thought given," he swore fervently before giving the fox a grim smile. "Does that honor the promise Fox-sama?" he asked, raising a lone brow.

"I, Kyuubi no Kitsune, Leader of the Kitsune Clans, do hear this vow and accept it. You will be shadowed by me, Namikaze Minato, until your task here is complete."

"As you wish," Minato agreed before sheathing his kunai in favor of opening one of his long pockets that contained a map to the area that he had been sent to patrol. He unfurled the worn-out map and scanned for the bubbling stream to mark where the boundary should start then, with a nod to the fox, he spoke. "By your leave," he spoke cheerfully as if this was some big field trip, his serious demeanor tucked away for some later date.

Kyuubi moved beside him. "Scout as you wish, Namikaze Minato. I shall follow."

The vow itself, while soothing the ancient kitsune’s nerves, would create issues immediately following. While some understood and were willing to accept the promise made, others were not.

Sarutobi rubbed his temples as he watched the Council listen to the report Minato had presented. This was compounding into a massive problem. While he would have no problem keeping this secret, it seemed the non-Nobles on the Council weren't having the same mindset.

"You shouldn't have made a promise like that to that... that monster! I mean, seriously, how are we sure that it will honor its part of the bargain?" A richly clad merchant with rings on each fat, stubby finger tried to reason to his fellow Council members calmly. However, the way his face flushed a blotchy red even as his flabby jowls quivered in silent fury spoke otherwise. He mopped his massive forehead with a handkerchief before turning to look at Uchiha Fugaku beseechingly. "Surely you can see the error that our dear Minato has made," he pleaded.

The Uchiha shook his head and commented. This was an area the non-Nobles were not going to win, but it would be tricky going to keep things presented in a way that would not hold the Noble Clans in suspect.

"He did the correct thing. I commend Namikaze-san for his judgment. In doing this, we were spared a talented Ninja."

The merchant blanched then spluttered before searching for someone else who would rally to his cause as he took another swipe of his sweat glistened face. "Well I know for sure that Yoshi agrees with me. I mean business hasn't been doing so well since the trading agreement with the demons was signed," he murmured before waving his porky hand to a fellow merchant who was as skinny as he himself was fat.

The Uchiha Clan Leader smirked. He’d heard this argument before, although it hadn’t been brought up during a Council meeting before this time.

"That's simply due to your ignorant arrogance. In denying them because they are demons, you denied yourself quality goods and so the clan stores will do better than the normal stores."

Yoshi pushed his glasses up his narrow nose as he cleared his throat meaningfully for attention. "Ahem, you are correct in that matter, Uchiha Fugaku, that these demon do make good merchandise. Silence, Keiji!" the scrawny man ordered when he saw him about to protest. Sharp, watery eyes fastened on his flustered friend for just a moment before looking at the leader of the Uchiha Clans.

"That may be true, Fugaku, but according to my records, all of my merchandise has not been arriving to my stores like they should. And, in fact, the ones that turn up missing are usually close to demon owned colonies. Can your logic explain why that is so?" Yoshi pushed before giving him a thin-lipped grin.

"I would think that not all demons are trustworthy so how are we to know this one is?"

"Yes, yes how are we to know?" Keiji fastened on that last bit of information with both hands before looking his beady little eyes at the Uchiha.

Sarutobi shook his head. Those two had been hounding his office about this, which meant he’d had to order a small investigation. The results of which were about to be revealed.

"According to the gate reports, the merchandise arrived and was delivered to your stores via members of the Noble Clans. Perhaps the fault lies with your employees?"

Yoshi opened his mouth to contradict but seeing who he was speaking to, he nodded his head and let it go. "I... maybe," he said, sounding slightly deflated before he took of his glasses to furiously polish them with the corner of his sleeve.

"Then I would suggest investigating your own employees and stores before insulting the providers of this merchandise as I know that your stores have been selling some of these and making a tidy profit."

The old leader eyed the merchant. Hopefully, this would keep the troublesome duo out of his hair for a while.

"Of course, Hokage-sama," the scrawny male apologized thickly, not liking to be proven wrong but hating even more to stick out his neck for too long. He settled his glasses back on the bridge of his nose and visibly shrunk back a bit ,deciding to stay closed mouth for at least this Council meeting.

"Can anyone not see reasoning here?!" Keiji blustered before smacking his massive fist down onto the mahogany table. "How about you, Hachi, or even you, Daisuke? Didn't we discuss before coming here about the evils of demons and their promises? Well speak up now and don't let me be the only voice that's against it," he demanded, looking from one man to another daring them to shrink back in defeat like Yoshi did.

Each one in turn looked the other way as if trying to ignore a madman. A shake of their head was given as if unwilling to go up onto the chopping block with the man that they had been eating lunch with just prior to the meeting.

Sarutobi frowned, wanting to get this cleared up so that he could go back to his office and resume the duties he’d had to put down in order to inform the Council of the promise Minato had given Kyuubi.

"It is my belief that Namikaze Minato did the correct thing. I state that Konoha will honor this promise."

The Uchiha nodded, moving to back up the Hokage on this.

"I agree and will move that said promise will be honored by all generations."

Keiji slumped into his chair, shocked that none of his comrades would see this event for the tragedy that it truly was. He couldn't force his beady eyes off the top of the table even if he wanted to, his ears burning with shame at how the tables had turned on him.

The Hyuuga looked impassively at the man before speaking.

"I second Uchiha-sama's motion."

The sullen merchant reluctantly raised his massive paw into the air before grumbling a "I third." Then he slumped even further into his chair, waiting for the meeting to draw to a close, seeing as he had no point in stay here any longer then he had to.

Sarutobi held back a smirk. He really loved it when certain arrogant members of the Council were brought down a peg or two.

"All in favor indicate by a show of hands."

It was clear even before the hands rose into the air that everyone would come to a unanimous decision, some more willingly then others.

The Sandaime gave Minato a hidden smile before addressing the Council.

"Then the location of the kitsune will be considered an SS secret. I hereby decree that no one will make mention of this by penalty of death. Indeed, the safety of our village depends on it."

Everyone nodded their heads in understanding of this serious situation, all except one who had fastened angry eyes on the pleased Minato before looking away dispassionately. Revenge would be had.

Sarutobi nodded in pleasure, glad to get this headache of an issue over and done with.

"Any other agendas to take care of?"

The atmosphere in the room seemed less tense as the council began to argue about less weightier matters, all wanting to put their input in at some point or another until the meeting finally came to a close.

Once the meeting was over, Sarutobi pulled Minato aside and led him to his office.

"I have an idea that might be beneficial to Konoha and the kitsunes."

"Yes?" Minato responded, willing to hear. The blonde was just glad the meeting was over and would be glad never to be invited to a meeting again. The need to speak his mind and denounce what the angry merchant was saying had been nearly overpowering to the point that he had to bite the side of his cheek to keep himself from putting the fat man in his place.

Sarutobi sank into his seat, setting the hat aside.

"Would you consider being an ambassador to the Kitsune? It'll be an unofficial mission, but I want to show them that we do mean them no harm and that the promise will be kept. What do you think?"

Minato couldn't disguise the look of surprise that flitted across his face before it was overturned by an appreciative smile.

"It would be an honor Hokage-sama to accept such an important position," the blonde said sincerely. He couldn't help his thoughts settling for a brief moment on Kyuubi who he was bound to meet if and when he accepted this position.

"Then the position is yours. Perhaps it might be best to inform the leader of the kitsunes of what occurred today so that she may rest easy on it."

He handed Minato a mission scroll as well as a missive for the Kyuubi.

The Jonin graciously took the mission scroll offered and secured it in one of his scroll pouches before giving Sarutobi a silent salute and formed the hand seals that would teleport him in a whirl of leaves to his new destination.

The Kyuubi would accept the missive and the offer of ambassador, which enabled the two to get to know each other. Time passed and as their knowledge of each other grew, they found attraction that soon fanned into a deep abiding love. Minato and Kyuubi mated, and she moved to Konoha to be with her mate, often departing to check on her clan as her duties permitted.

Minato began to pace up and down the hallways of the hospital, jittery as to what was happening inside closed doors. He was a battle veteran and had been on mission after mission where he wasn't as anxious as he was now awaiting the birth of his son. The blonde shinobi had been inside the operating room barely a few minutes ago to comfort his mate but his anxiety about the whole situation and the need to make sure that Kyuubi was okay left him pushed out onto the other side of the door. But that didn't stop the male from worrying and pacing, prepared to come running in if his wife needed him.

The kitsune kept her calm as she worked to bring her kit into the world. She and Minato had discussed the fact that the baby would be more demon than human, given the strength of her demon blood, but the human had stated that he did not care and simply wanted their child healthy and happy. That had pleased her, knowing that between themselves and their closest friends, the kit would grow up well loved despite the scorn of those who hated demons.

It was a relief to all, including Minato himself, when his son finally came into the world with a lusty cry. His friends’ words of reassurance had been nothing compared to seeing that his wife and child were safe with his own eyes. His fingers trembled slightly as he stroked the few wispy locks on his son's head before offering to kiss Kyuubi's temple. He wanted his son to open his eyes for him so he could see those clear blue pools that a person could get lost in, but he wasn't sure his mate would appreciate him waking the sleeping babe up when he had just settled down to sleep.

Kyuubi smiled at her mate reassuringly. She was somewhat tired and sweaty because of her ordeal but so very happy. Her mate had made Hokage some weeks ago and now this. Her life felt rich.

"Our son, my love."

"Yes, our son," Minato agreed as he smiled down at his happy, little family. He couldn't believe that his heart could get any fuller than it was right now. The young Hokage was willing to shout his joy to the rooftops but instead, he would proudly share it to their close friends after he basked a bit in the warm glow of him and his family being together.

"His name, my mate? It must be a strong one. I can sense his strength even now." She nuzzled the blond fuzz that crowned his head. The baby's fox ears were blond but tipped with red, taking some of his mother's coloring

Even before his wife could suggest a possible name for their son, he shared the one he had in mind. This was a name that he wanted to use ever since his teacher, Jiraiya, showed him the first book that he had written.

"Naruto... He looks like a Naruto to me," he breathed out with a fond look in his eyes.

"Maelstrom. Aptly named, Minato."

A nurse came in with a smile, pleased at the picture that the new family presented.

"We need to take the little one to the nursery for his first bath and check up. You should rest, Namikaze-sama. Childbirth is an ordeal for any female."

Minato blinked in surprise as the peaceful spell was broken as the intruder entered. He gave the nurse a tired smile before nodding his head in agreement. For a moment, he was torn between following the nurse to see how his son's first check up would go or staying with his wife. He had already decided to spend his first night sleeping in the hospital despite any protests the others may come up with.

The young Hokage kissed his son's whiskered cheek before whispering to the sleeping babe a soft, "good night."

Then, with just the briefest reluctance, he settled in a chair next to his wife, glad that he was wearing civilian clothes for this moment even as he took up her hand and kissed it. "Are you well love?" he murmured watching as the nurse took their child away before looking to his wife.

As she smiled and answered in an affirmative manner, the baby was taken away and that was the last his parents would see of him. Sometime during the exam, an enemy of the Namikaze family stole the kitsune newborn away and was the little one was never spotted in Konoha, despite the massive amount of teams sent out by the grieving and furious Hokage.

A month after the disappearance of baby Naruto, the Kazekage arrived in Konoha and asked that the two would foster his son, who was a Tanuki hanyou. Knowing that Suna was dangerous for baby Gaara, the couple willingly took the baby and Kyuubi bonded with him, all the while holding hope that her son would return to be a playmate to their foster child.


Author’s End Note – Well, there’s the prologue to ‘Taken.’ Assassin’s Kiss and I sincerely hope you enjoyed this story, and we will have more to come soon. For update information, please check my author’s page. There’s an address to my yahoo group. Join up and you’ll be informed of any updates for this story and others. Also, please take time to review and let us know what you think of it. Until next time! - Assassin’s Kiss and Laran