Raised in Darkness (A Naruto Fanfiction)

Prologue

(Not Edited)

"1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10, READY OR NOT HERE I COME!!" A small 5 year old boy with blond hair called to his friends hiding in the forest close to his house. Throughout the area many of his friends were hiding in any place they could get.

One by one they were discovered only to laugh and begin helping the small boy find the others. Once 7 of the hiding children were found, they only had Junko left. She was the best at hiding since she was the smallest and youngest of the 9 of them. She was always the last to be found and was usually the most difficult to find. As a result, Junko took great pride in it and tried to make things interesting for her friends by being creative with her hiding places. One time she hid herself in an abandoned foxes den built beneath the roots of a tall tree and covered herself in dead leaves, it ended up quite funny when she saw her friends reaction to finding her.

This specific time she had climbed a tree and hid herself within the thickest branches she could find. Being 3, not many would think she had the skills to do so but she managed to defy expectations and did just that. After an hour her  friends had given up hope of finding her so they had to admit defeat. "Junko you win again, so please come out." At this Junko climbed back down her tree and made her way over to her friends.

A small little girl around 4 years old with brown hair spoke up when she saw Junko approach "where have you been, we looked everywhere"

"I was in a tree" Junko replied with a slight blush on her cheeks. Despite always playing with the other children from her village she was still the shyest one of them all which made her that much more adorable.

A pair of twins around the age of 5 both face palmed "why didn't we think of that" they said in unison.

"That's because we always underestimate her when it comes to hide and seek" another 4 year old girl who had red hair stated in a matter of fact tone.

"Yeah, well how can we not she is the youngest one here, who wouldn't underestimate her. She'll probably always do that to everyone" a 5 year old boy with black hair spoke up.

"Yeah but she does kind of look like a boy so people don't underestimate her as much as they probably would if she looked like a girl" a girl with pale purple hair said in a condescending tone.

"Makoto there is no need to speak like that we are supposed to just be having some fun here not comment on what people look like" a blonde 6 year old female spoke. She was the oldest of the group.

"Kasumi, Hachirou, Shichiro, Kazue, Kenshin, Makoto, Aiko why don't you settle down you are all making Junko feel uncomfortable with all your chit chat and bantering" the boy who had been the seeker spoke

"Sorry Katsu, sorry Junko" everyone said as the bowed in apology.

"It's alright now Junko" the one now known as Katsu said with a smile gently placing his hand on her head and pet it gently. He was the only one that Junko let do that to her. He was the nicest to her and knew when she was feeling unnerved. Katsu was also Junko's neighbour so they had known each other for as long as she could remember. They had grown close to each other as well, to the point where Katsu had pledged to be by her side and protect her for as long as he could.

"It's okay Katsu, I'm used to it." A shy Junko said with a soft smile to her close friend.

"Nonsense, you know I don't like you feeling scared. Like I said before I'm here to protect you and always will be" a bright smile was plastered on his face.

"Oh really now, you're going to protect her, but are you willing to give up your life to accomplish such an impossible feat, especially when I'm around" an evil and sinister voice spoke from the shadows.