Finding My Ninja Way: A Naruto Fanfic

Chapter 1: Fang Inuzuka!

I was there within the final moments of the Fourth Great Ninja War.

I've seen innocent bloodshed and dark and vile creatures alike.

I've witnessed power unimaginable and unattainable to humankind - chakra mass that could make you feel like you're leaving your own body.

I've felt helpless and immobile. I've been useless and a burden before. I've experienced everything...except what it's like to be a hero.

Back then, I was a nobody. Everyone looked at me and called me out as Kiba Inuzuka's younger cousin. I didn't mind it, but the things Kiba got to do that I didn't made me feel different about being a great Shinobi. Like the time he helped the Seventh Hokage go on a rescue mission to save Sasuke Uchiha and fought Sakon and Ukon, Leader of the Four Sound Ninja who aided Orochimaru in the Destruction of the Hidden Leaf. Or like the time Pain of the Akatsuki attacked the village in search for the Nine-Tailed Fox. I was deemed unconsious inside Ichiraku with my companion Zenomaru while Kiba helped fend off Pain and even bragged that without him, Lord Seventh wouldn't have even prevailed, which I knew all too well he was lying.

Oh!

Gomen, I'm getting too deep in thought here.

Hi! I'm Fang of the Inuzuka clan. I've been around for awhile, but I can bet you've never noticed me. That's because I've always been in the shadow of my older cousin, Kiba Inuzuka. I've lived with him and his family ever since Pain completely wiped the village and killed my parents in the havoc he created. Torn inside, I vowed everyday to make them proud as I lived on and carried the Inuzuka name with me.

I was given special orders by Lord Fifth, Lady Tsunade, that since I've relied heavily on him my whole life, it was only fitting to stay with him as a member of Team Kurenai, and be their hidden fourth member. However, being that I lacked the necessary combat skills of a qualified Chūnin, I was never able to go with them on missions, and was stuck taking care of the house Kiba and I were renting out.

Zenomaru and Akamaru are brothers, but being that Zenomaru felt the need to play the alpha role of the two, they never really got along unless they were forced to.

Thinking back to how I've made it this far isn't as difficult as it seems. My road was pretty bland. I was stuck as an errand boy, feeling the same as a Genin would when it came to small rewarded requests. You know, the usual "Save my cat", "Find my missing toy", or "Send this letter off to my forbidden love".
They were small jobs, but I got paid nonetheless, so it was worth every second.

As for being a ninja, I have my strengths and my weaknesses. I'm excellent in ninjutsu. Practice sparring with Kiba really helped me perfect my Absolute Fang over Fang technique, as well as my Wind and Earth Style, but when it came to taijutsu, I could never beat him.

"Don't look down on yourself," he told me once after a session. "So what if taijutsu isn't your field of expertise? Rock Lee is a fine shinobi and he can't perform any ninjutsu."

But I didn't want to be just fine. If I ever came up short in battle, and only had taijutsu to rely on, I'd be a goner. If Kiba could do it, why couldn't I?

Then, one day, something happened.

On the night after Naruto Uzumaki became Lord Seventh, I set out to clean the house once more while Kiba claimed to be out on some date out in the Village square. Keeping myself busy, I decided to cover every square inch...even the basement.

Kiba always told me to never go down there without him. That there were priceless heirlooms stored and that I mustn't touch them as they were fragile and passed down from generation to generation.