Naruto Neglected - The Unbearable Pain (Discontinued)

CHAPTER 1: The Problem Child

October 10th marked the passing of the Kyuubi or Nine Tailed Fox. On that same night, Kushina Uzumaki had given birth to twins, Naruto and Karah Namikaze. Things went perfectly to plan and the Nine Tail Fox was passed down to the next in the long line of Nine Tails jinchuuriki: Karah Namikaze and Naruto Namikaze. 3 uneventful years passed as Minato Namikaze led the village as Hokage and also spent time with his two children. This all changed when Kushina yet again became pregnant and gave birth to another girl, Naruko Namikaze. Everything was perfect as Naruko was delivered and friends of the family came to see the newborn. One of these friends was one of the Three Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya. As all the commotion died down, Jiraiya took Minato aside to talk to him. He sighed.

" 3 years ago There was been... a prophecy," he began as he dodged Minato's eye contact. Minato smiled weakly as he noticed his sensei's nervousness.

"Eh? What do you mean?" asked Minato. Jiraiya looked up at Minato and explained.

"In the future... there will be a time where the world will be in need of a protector. A threat so big even a shinobi alliance could not stop it. It will appear... and when it does, the child of my pupil will be the one to stop it..." Jiraiya paused and looked at the confused Minato.

"I don't see why you were hesitant to-"

"Or... be the one to cause it." Silence stained the air as Minato's eyes widened.

"Karah," whispered Minato as he began to understand.

"As bearer of the Kyuubi, it is obvious that the prophecy is referring to her," explained Jiraiya, "You are treading on thin ice, Minato. One false step could send ripples leading to... destruction." "What will we do?" inquired Minato after a long silence. Jiraiya once again looked at the floor.

"Minato, the biggest problem I see arising is a rivalry between Naruto and Karah," Jiraiya sighed.

"S-So what? Isn't it normal for twins to be rivals sometimes?" Minato raised his voice as if he knew what Jiraiya was asking him to do.

"I am sorry, Minato. It is imperative that Karah has special treatment over Naruto. There can be no rivalry. Karah must be assured that she is superior to her brother in all aspects. I would not ask you to do this if I did not believe that this was for the sake of the village or even the world itself. As Hokage... it is your duty." Minato looked back into the hospital room: Kushina lay sleeping with Naruko in her arms as Naruto and Karah sat on chairs next to the bed, talking happily.

"And Naruko?" asked Minato, as his head hung low.

"I do not believe Naruko will bring any problems." Minato knew that Jiraiya was wiser than him and thus knew that it would be in the world's best interest to do as he said but he could not help but feel an incredible guilt about what he would have to do his son.

"Please tell me this is some sick joke sensei?" Minato said quietly. Jiraiya simply shook his head in sadness, "Help me tell Kushina what must be done." Minato had resolve in his voice now. 'I must be strong' he thought, 'This is just how things must be now.

"I have something that might help you." Minato turned his head to his senses, confused.

Over the next year, Minato and Kushina's heart hardened towards Naruto. It didn't take long for the two to disassociate themselves from Naruto. Karah's training had now begun. She had shown incredible talent and progress as she was quickly mastering chakra control and even beginning to understand jutsu at age 4. Of course being taught by the 4th Hokage and having incredible genes also gave her an advantage. Only a few weeks after her training started she already mastered walkingon walls and water and could almost perform a select number of jutsus. Minato overlooked his student as Kushina watched from the sidelines with a baby Naruko laying in her arms. Naruto was the only one absent as usual. The Namikaze family had fallen into a routine after the prophecy was revealed to them. The prophecy seemed to be used as an unsaid excuse to ignore Naruto and after over a year of doing so, the family became quite content with only raising two of their children. Naruto was forgotten about at meals, ignored when he tried to speak and left alone for most of the time. Despite all of this, the villagers described him as a "ball of sunshine" while of course being oblivious to his situation, due to his eternal optimism. As Karah's training for the day began to finish, the door to the Namikaze House opened much to the surprise of its occupants. The door soon slammed shut and Kushina looked at Minato. Minato silently began to draw a kunai and signalled for Karah to be quiet. He slowly crept towards the corridor which held the front door but was surprised when he was met by the face of a tiny Naruto. He did not show his shock however and instead began to put his kunai away with uninterest.