Exalted Elements (Naruto/Exalted)
"Who am I? I am Uzumaki Naruto, the Lunar Exalt and Jinchūriki of Kyūbi. Chosen of the Moon and Shinobi of Konohagakure. This is my story and how I brought about a great revolution of sorts. One against forces beyond mortal ken to secure a greater future and one to unite that which was broken and lost."
-(Naruto POV)-
It was raining, I could feel it even if my body was numb. Was this how it ends, in failure? Not being able to stopped that black haired bastard Sasuke from going to that monster Orochimaru. Not being able to keep my promise to Sakura-chan, that I would bring back him. Sounds about right, after all, our former teammate just proved that he was superior. Even with the power I have, he still won.
"I'll handle him. This guy is mine. Get going! Hurry!" Chōji...
"Now get going. I will be right behind you." Neji...
"Kiba! Akamaru!"
"Now Naruto!" Shikamaru ...
"Well what are you waiting for. Go! The thumbs-up, Naruto, Remember. You gave it to Sakura. You made her a promise. Do not worry, I can finish this one. I promise." Lee...
Were their sacrifices all for nothing? All because of my own failure? After everything, I am still the Dead Last of this generation. The Loser who failed the Genin Exams three times because he couldn't do a simple Bushin. Only able to become a shinobi after being tricked by a traitor and learning about my burden.
"Naruto... only you... My only wish... Please... bring Sasuke back!"
"I will bring Sasuke back for sure. This is a promise of a lifetime!"
Sakura-chan, I am sorry, I couldn't keep my promise to you. You truly care for Sasuke, more then you will ever care for me. To be honest, if it would truly make you happy then I will step aside for you to be with him. Even if I don't think the bastard deserves you especially after this, after hurting you. Guess I will never become more than a friend and a teammate.
"There's no question that you were special... Unfortunately, you're not quite as special as I am."
"So you're special, huh?, you won't be so special when I'm through with you!"
Sasuke, guess you were right about you being more special. After all, you are an Uchiha, one of the founding clans. Blessed with those damned red eyes, the Sharingan. Having the love of the village and everyone's attention, including Sakura-chan's. Even our Sensei liked you the most, giving you special treatment.
"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. There are plenty of things I dislike, considering there is almost nothing I do like. It is pointless to talk about "dreams"...That's just a word...But one thing I have is determination. I am going to restore my clan and there is a certain someone who I have sworn...to kill."
"My only goal in life... is revenge."
Is revenge truly the only thing important to you? Your brother's death the only thing that you desire? Don't our team and everyone in Konoha mean something to you? Doesn't Sakura-chan's love mean something?
"Just shut up for once! What the hell do you know about it?! It's not like you ever had a family in the first place! You were on your own right from the beginning, what makes you think you know anything about it?! Huh?! I'm suffering now because I had those ties, how on earth could you possibly understand, what it feels like to lose all that!"
Yeah, I am an orphan with no name. My parents are either dead or have abandoned me because of what I hold. Jiji would always diverted the question when I brought it up so I guessed it is the latter. Nor would anyone try to adopt me. After all, who would want the Kyūbi host for a child after what it has done to the village. Parents would take their kids away whenever I tried to play with them and the adults would avoid me like a plague. Sometimes, I pretend to be the secret love child of my favorite person, the Yondaime Hokage, to make the pain go away. Deep down, ever since I found out the truth, I wanted to hate him for cursing my life. Yet I couldn't completely bring myself to.
The rain keeps falling as I couldn't move my body, I was in too much pain and completely exhausted. Why? Why couldn't I finally defeat the bastard? Even with the power of the mighty Kyūbi, he still defeated me. Am I just that weak? Was this Fate truly showing me that I am nothing, not to Sasuke and others? If so then I guess it is time to finally give up-
"NO!"
A part of me couldn't accept that. Refused to accept that. This smallest of sparks was still alive, burning even in such a pitiful state. As if to defy everything that Fate threw at it.
"I will become Hokage!"
That was my dream, wasn't it. A dream born out of desperation to be noticed, to recognized as Naruto not the Kyūbi. They won't let me in the end become Hokage because of my burden, won't let a demon take the hat. Even if I could, how can I if I couldn't save Sasuke from himself. No, it is only a dream, one that would never become real.
"I'm not gonna run away and I never go back on my word, that is my nindō! My ninja way!"
The spark was starting to grow. Never giving up and keeping my promises, that was my path. No, it still is. I won't just lay here and let myself die. If I was going to die then it was going to be standing up. Slowly, the spark started to become a flame.
"I am going to bring back Sasuke!"
Trying to move my hands, I could only do slight movements. Yes, I am going to keep my promise or die trying. Even if it is mostly likely going to be the latter. Anything else would make everything so far truly worthless. The sacrifice of my friends made for him to get here meaningless, every single one of them. If the Shinigami itself wants my soul then I won't give it without a fight.
"I am Uzumaki Naruto! Just who the hell do you think I am?"
My strength was returning as I was forcing myself to move. Even it means taping more from my tenant, I would succeed with his promise. I will protect those I consider precious and become Hokage. Nothing was going to stop that, not as long as I continued to live.
Suddenly I felt a great surge coursing through my body. It was if I was being reborn anew. Every muscle in my body was rejuvenated and my chakra was completely restored. In my mind, I saw a vision of the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
Her hair was silvery-white, like the moon itself, and was long enough to reach her hips. Those silvery eyes seemed to pierce into my soul. Pale skin that truly held no flaws covered by a black dress with white spots, like the night sky. The look she gave me stunned me, it was the loving look that I saw mothers give to their children. In a way, she look like how I imagined my own mother.
As if she knew what I was thinking, spoke in a tone I wanted to hear all my life directed at me. That of a caring mother.
Uzumaki Naruto, you have stubbornly struggled your way throughout your entire life to prove your own existence. A struggle filled with the pain of isolation and hate.
Even now, your determination and resolve still shines against despair and sorrow that threatens to devour you whole. Like how the moon shines in the the dark of night.
Deep inside lies a beast that stubbornly refuses to back down and wishes to be set free. Let it out and realize the primal power within.
You have become one of the Exalted Hosts. A hero granted great power to change everything to fulfill your dreams and desires.
Not just any Exalt but one of my own. For you are now a Lunar Exalt, Chosen of the I, Luna, Goddess of the Moon.
I blessed you with the ability to change yourself, to be whatever you wished to be. To reflect aspects of this world and others as if they were your own.
Be known that you are of the Changing Moon Caste also known as the Children of the Shifting Moon. Become the Silver Mirror, forever changing in a constant state of flux.
Go Forth, my Protean Champion. Show them the majesty and the fury of the moon, and of your own primal existence. Never forget who you are and forge ahead, my son.
That last word hit me hard as tears began to fall. Before I could speak, a flash of light appeared and everything when white.
-(In the throne room of some advanced civilization)-
Sitting down on a elaborate golden throne was a red-haired woman with emerald eyes, wearing golden armor and crown. Four Millennium has this empress has lead her people upon the dying husk of the being known as the Great Maker. Being hounded by her former lover, Sol Tyrannus, once the Unconquerable Sun now enslaved by a crown forged by the Shining Tyrant. Recently in a conflict against the Forces of the Universe Emperor, she lost her other half. The Lunar known was Moon Child Prince was slain by a Circle of Titanic Exalted. That Circle never left the Gunstar alive. Moon Child Prince was equal parts her closest ally and confidant, lover and rival, sibling and husband.
"Your Imperial Majesty. I bring news." A figured dared to approach her. She knew who this was, the leader of the Sidereal Exalts, Chejop Kejak.
"What is it?" What would bring him here when she wanted to be alone in grief.
"We found an something that would interest you. A galaxy neither of the Spiral nor of the Wyld." This news did interest her a bit but not enough to bring her out of her sorrow.
The Elder sensed this and knew to use his trump card. "His Exaltation Shard went there. From what I was able to get was that it found a new host..."
Like a fire roaring back to life, she kept to her feet. Her Other had just found his reincarnation. "Send a circle to find him. While they are searching, we will enter this new galaxy and see what it has to offer. His inheritor will be found and brought to me."
Chejop bowed. "I will put together the best to find him, Solar Empress Merela."
-(Regular POV)-
Sasuke jumped away when he felt the change. "What…"
In front of him was none other than the blond, his eyes shining stronger than they ever were before. Around the tattered remains of his black and orange tracksuit was a silver aura. His forehead was a Crescent Moon made from silver. "I am Uzumaki Naruto and I am the Changing Moon. Hope you are ready, Teme. Cause here is round two."
The Uchiha took time to recover as he took a pill to restore his body and chakra. "Fine by me. It seems like I need to beat you down again. This time even harder."
-(Konoha)-
Meawhile, in the forest nearby, a man with silver hair the defied the laws of gravity was rushing towards the valley with eight dogs. His only goal was to help Naruto secure Sasuke and return them both home. Where did I go wrong? I was supposed to make sure Sasuke didn't do something like this.
"Kakashi!" One of the dogs around him spoke. "The scent has changed. One of the boys' scent has changed."
This knocked Kakashi out of his thoughts. "What do you mean one of my student's scent changed? Which one, Pakkun?"
"The special one." Merely replied Pakkun who received a look. "The one with the fox inside of him. Smell different than before."
The Former Anbu's eyes widen as he wonder what did Naruto do to change his scent? The only answer he had was his tenant. Did Naruto lose control again? "... Clarify. What is Naruto's new scent?"
The pug sniffed again and shivered bit. "It changes every now and again. All scents are of nature, pure and untouched."
This threw the one eyed shinobi in a loop as he picked up speed. Naruto, what happened to you?
-(Oto)-
On the other side of the side of the forest, another silver haired shinobi was advancing with four other shinobi that bore a musical note. "Let's hurry up. Orochimaru-sama wants Sasuke safe and sound."
"Hai!" The other four shinobi spoke before one of them continued. "Kabuto-san. Why do we need to secure the Uchiha-san when the Oto Yonin are already taking care of it?"
Kabuto sent a glare at the shinobi before sighing. "One of the people sent to recover Sasuke is troublesome. This particular blond shinobi has a habit of being a thorn in people's plans. He might be able to stop our plans."
"So we end him…" Shinobi began to but was stopped dead.
"If you can't capture him alive, yes. Orochimaru-sama wants Naruto to be brought to him personally. He wants to turn him on our side since the child is a Jinchūriki. Either way, Konoha losses their greatest deterrent. It would be better for us if he joins our village. Do you understand?" The Second in command spoke before continuing towards the valley. We won't fail you Orochimaru-sama. Both will be yours.
-(Spiral)-
One of the ships currently hunting down the Gunstar, a dark force had received a interesting report. "So a new galaxy has appeared and our target seems to have their sights on it. Sent our course to this new galaxy. I will bring it into the fold of the Imperium."
"Yes, my Sovereign. You heard Desus of Shining Binds. Forward towards the galaxy."
-(Unknown)-
"Thus the Samara turns once more. A failed rebellion on the run. It's hunters at their heels. A galaxy yet disturbed by outside forces. Inside a planet filled with conflict, all sides fighting for their own agendas. A child holding two great powers, the fragment of something greater then the gods and the shard of a champion of them. It seems like things are indeed picking up."
"Yes, it seems to be."